Cannavaro named China's new manager as squad for China Cup announced

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Former Italian captain Fabio Cannavaro was named new head coach of China, confirmed the Chinese Football Association (CFA) on Friday.

"Cannavaro is familiar with Chinese players and is experienced in coaching a team," CFA said in a statement.

The former Real Madrid, Juventus, Inter and Napoli defender, who captained Italy to their World Cup triumph in 2006, has been coaching the Chinese Super League (CSL) club Guangzhou Evergrande since November 2017.

The 45-year-old won his first trophy with Guangzhou Evergrande as a head coach in Chinese Super Cup last season.

It was not certain whether Cannavaro will lead the team on a temporary or permanent basis while the Italian will continue his job in Guangzhou Evergrande at that moment.

Marcello Lippi, who stepped down after China's quarter-final exit at 2019 Asian Cup, will stay on as an advisor.

At the same time, CFA announces the 23-player squad ahead of 2019 China Cup, which will be held from March 21 to 25 in Nanning, the capital city of South China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region.

Cannavaro, who succeeds Marcello Lippi, will combine the role with Guangzhou Evergrande job. /VCG Photo

The squad eyes eight players from Guangzhou Evergrande including Zeng Cheng, Feng Xiaoting, Gao Zhunyi, Liu Yiming, Zhang Linpeng, Zhang Xiuwei, He Chao, Wei Shihao.

As Spanish La Liga side Espanyol striker Wu Lei is not on that list, his former teammate, Lyu Wenjun from Shanghai SIPG, makes his first appearance in Chinese national soccer team. Teammates Fu Huan and goalkeeper Yan Junling from Shanghai SIPG will join Lyu in the 23-player list.

Cannavaro's first match as head coach is China's opening match against Thailand on March 21 while Uruguay takes on Uzbekistan. The winners of the first two games will progress to the final on March 25.

Squad for China Cup:

Shanghai SIPG: Yan Junling, Fu Huan, Lyu Wenjun

Guangzhou Evergrande: Zeng Cheng, Feng Xiaoting, Gao Zhunyi, Liu Yiming, Zhang Linpeng, Zhang Xiuwei, He Chao, Wei Shihao

Shandong Luneng: Wang Dalei, Hao Junmin

Beijing FC: Li Lei, Zhang Xizhe

Jiangsu Suning: Li Ang, Wu Xi, Xie Pengfei

Hebei China Fortune: Jiang Zhipeng, Dong Xuesheng

Tianjin Tianhai: Wang Yongpo

Chongqing SWM Motors: Peng Xinli

Changchun Yatai: Tan Long