Fabio Cannavaro resigns as Tianjin Quanjian coach

Fabio Cannavaro resigned as head coach of Chinese Super League side Tianjin Quanjian.

Former Fiorentina coach Paulo Sousa has been named as his replacement. Earlier he spoke with media about the Tianjin squad.

Cannavaro took charge of Tianjin Quanjian in June 2016.

Fabio Cannavaro at the news conference after the game between Tianjin Quanjian and Guangzhou Evergrande on Nov 4, 2017 [Photo: IC]

In his debut season he led the team to promotion from China League One to the Chinese Super League.

He backed up that achievement with a fine performance this season - securing a third place top tier finish and AFC Champions League qualification.

Before Tianjin, the Italian coached Guangzhou Evergande from 2014 but was fired just seven months later and replaced by Marcello Lippi.

Cannavaro's departure from Tianjin has heightened speculation that he will return as coach of defending champions Guangzhou.

Notably, Felipe Scolari announced on Sunday that he was leaving Guangzhou – thereby leaving a vacant spot at the helm of the seven-time champions.