Fabio Cannavaro, captain of the Italy team that won the 2006 World Cup, has been given his first Serie A coaching job at relegation-threatened Udinese.
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Cannavaro becomes Udinese's third coach this season, replacing the fired Gabriele Cioffi, who had taken over from Andrea Sottil in October.
Former Ballon d'Or winner Cannavaro was given a contract for the final six matches of the season, with his brother, Paolo, becoming his number one assistant.
The move comes after a 1-0 loss at Hellas Verona on Saturday left Udinese one spot above the drop zone and level on points with 18th-place Frosinone.
Udinese have been in the top division uninterrupted since 1995.
While the 50-year-old has coached several clubs in China and the Middle East, Cannavaro's only managerial experience in Italy came with Benevento in Serie B for part of last season.
The former centre back became the Ballon d'Or winner after helping Italy beat France in the 2006 World Cup final.
Cannavaro will take over for the first time when Udinese's game against Roma resumes on Thursday for the final 19 minutes.
The score was 1-1 on April 14 when Roma defender Evan Ndicka collapsed and the match was suspended. Ndicka was released from hospital a day later with a collapsed left lung.
Australian Associated Press
