Fabio Cannavaro to manage Republic of Ireland duo at Udinese

Festy Ebosele and James Abankwah will work with the World Cup and Ballon d'Or winner until the end of the season.

Mon, 22 Apr, 2024 - 15:30

Andrew Horgan and Reuters

Festy Ebosele and James Abankwah have a new manager at Udinese in the form of World Cup and Ballon d'Or winner; Fabio Cannavaro.

Udinese sacked manager Gabriele Cioffi on Monday with the Serie A club in danger of relegation.

Cioffi, 48, took over in October with the club third-bottom in the standings but the Italian was unable to turn around the club's fortunes.

Udinese have lost three of their last four league matches and sit 17th, level on 28 points with third-bottom Frosinone, who are in the relegation zone, albeit with a game in hand.

"Udinese Calcio announces that it has relieved Gabriele Cioffi from the position of head coach of the first team," the club said in a statement.

"To the coach the (club gives) thanks for the professionalism shown and the work done during these months (and offers) to him the best wishes for the continuation of his career."

Cannavaro, who has coached several sides in China plus Serie B team Benevento, was Udinese's preferred choice to replace Cioffi and will take charge of the team until the end of this season.

The appointment will provide Republic of Ireland senior international Festy Ebosele and Under 21 defender James Abankwah the opportunity to learn and develop under the former Real Madrid, Juventus and Italy star.