Former Real Madrid and Juventus defender Fabio Cannavaro is in talks to become Deportivo La Coruna’s new head coach.
The 51-year-old, a former Ballon d’Or and World Cup winner with Italy, most recently took charge of Serie A side Udinese. He only had six games in charge of the club last season, successfully keeping them in the Italian top flight before it was announced in June that he would be leaving the role.
Deportivo, who are in the Spanish second division, consider him an option for their vacant head coach position and registered their interest on Friday.
Cannavaro and the club are expected to meet this weekend to see if they can agree on a deal. Although there is no firm offer at the moment, sources close to the situation have confirmed to The Athletic that initial talks have revolved around a deal that would run until 2026 or 2027.
As a player, Cannavaro came through the youth ranks at Napoli before going on to represent Parma, Inter Milan, Juventus and Real Madrid. He also had spells playing in the United Arab Emirates and India before retiring in 2012.
He also made 136 appearances for the Italy national team, captaining the side to World Cup glory in 2006. That same year he became one of three defenders in history to win the prestigious Ballon d’Or award, alongside Franz Beckenbauer (twice) and Matthias Sammer.
During a nomadic managerial career he has taken charge of the Chinese clubs Guangzhou Evergrande (in two separate spells) and Tianjin Tianhai, the Saudi club Al Nassr, the Chinese national team, Benevento and, earlier this year, Udinese.
Deportivo is one of only nine to have lifted a La Liga title and, two decades ago, was a regular in the Champions League, but has been outside Spain’s top division since 2018.
Stricken by debt, the new project led by president Juan Carlos Escotet has managed to sign promising youngsters such as former Arsenal player Charlie Patino.
The Spanish side are 20th in the league, two points from safety.
(Ivan Romano/Getty Images)
