‘Cannavaro deserves more consideration as coach in Italy’

Former Italy first-team doctor Enrico Castellacci praises Uzbekistan coach Fabio Cannavaro and insists the 2006 World Cup winner deserves ‘more consideration’ in Italy.

Cannavaro is one of the three Italian coaches featuring at the 2026 World Cup.

Twenty years ago, Cannavaro led the Italian national team to World Cup victory, winning the Ballon d’Or that same year.

Last week, his Uzbekistan side suffered a 3-1 loss to Colombia in their first-ever World Cup game.

EDMONTON, CANADA – JUNE 1: Head coach Fabio Cannavaro of Uzbekistan looks on as Ralph Priso #28 of Canada and Farrukh Sayfiev #4 of Uzbekistan run after a loose ball during their international friendly match at Commonwealth Stadium on June 1, 2026 in Edmonton, Canada. (Photo by Jeff Vinnick/Getty Images)

“The emotion at the debut was unique: there were 80,000 Colombia shirts and just 1,000 from Uzbekistan, but being there at the Azteca was special, given what it represents for us Italians,” Castellacci told Gazzetta, via TMW.

Cannavaro compared to legendary Italy coach Lippi: Tireless worker’

“The result hurt us a bit; we didn’t deserve to lose 3-1, but that was our first game, and it was fair to feel emotional.”

Castellacci was Italy’s first-team doctor in 2006 and has now followed Cannavaro in the Uzbekistan team.

“I’ve seen Fabio improve enormously; I don’t understand why he doesn’t get the consideration he deserves in Italy,” Castellacci noted.

BERLIN – JULY 09: The Italian players celebrate as Fabio Cannavaro of Italy lifts the World Cup trophy aloft following victory in a penalty shootout at the end of the FIFA World Cup Germany 2006 Final match between Italy and France at the Olympic Stadium on July 9, 2006 in Berlin, Germany. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)

“In him, I see the same serenity Lippi had, that smile, and he’s also a tireless worker. He studies tactics, videos, strategies and opponents until 2 am. He has Lippi’s concepts in his head, especially one: the team. Marcello has left an enormous mark in football, also in China, and it is not easy to revolutionise the system there.”

Cannavaro has limited Serie A experience as a coach, having only taken charge of six matches in Italy‘s top flight as Udinese’s boss in 2023-24.

However, even in a brief spell, he helped the Bianconeri secure Serie A safety that season, collecting two wins, three draws and just one loss.