Fabio Cannavaro has been sacked by Udinese as their coach, the club announced on Saturday.

"Udinese Calcio can confirm that Fabio Cannavaro will not continue as the head coach of the first team next season," Udinese said in a statement. "We would like to thank Fabio and his backroom team for their professionalism and help in securing Udinese's top-flight status. We wish him and his assistants the very best for their future endeavors."

Cannavaro's first managerial job in Serie A lasted less than two months as he only took over Udinese in late April. They played six Serie A games under him and remained undefeated in the final five, including securing two of their six wins for the whole 2023-24 season. After beating Frosinone 1-0 on the road, Udinese managed to avoid relegation on the last day.

Despite Cannavaro helping Udinese maintain their top-flight status, the club's president Giampolo Pozzo informed the coach that he would not continue to work with them, the 50-year-old Italian confirmed on Saturday. He reiterated his desire to stay in the position, but was not able to change Pozzo's mind.

"President Pozzo informed me today that the company has decided not to continue our professional relationship," Cannavaro posted on Instagram. "I thank him for the opportunity he gave me and I am sorry that I can't continue this short and intense journey that, in the last month and a half of the championship, we have accomplished great and exciting feats."

"I want to specify that, for my part, I would have liked to continue this adventure in Friuli, a land that has entered my heart and its people, for which I put myself unconditionally at the disposal of society. Good luck to the club, the players and the wonderful Udinese fans," he added.

Cannavaro, whose playing career was highlighted by captaining Italy to the title at the 2006 World Cup, previously managed Benevento in Serie B, the Chinese men's national team, and Chinese Super League clubs Guangzhou Evergrande and Tianjin Quanjian.