Legendary Italy coach Marcello Lippi has claimed that former captain Fabio Cannavaro will one day coach the Azzurri despite a surprising exit from Guangzhou Evergrade after just seven months in China.
The 41-year-old agreed to terminate his contract with the club despite Guangzhou topping the Chinese Super League and reaching the quarter-finals of the Asian Champions League, and despite his departure, Lippi is convinces he has a bright coaching future ahead of him.
“The Chinese are unpredictable,” the 67-year-old told Sky Sport Italia.
“Last week I spoke with them, but nothing could have predicted this.
“Even when they took me [as coach] it was relatively sudden. Maybe they felt Fabio was too young, I do not know, but his team are first in the rankings.
“He will return aware of having done a good job.
“Cannavaro is definitely ready for the Italian bench, yes. He has international experience at the highest level. I’ve seen him work and he works well, has charisma and a very good staff.
“As a player Cannavaro always wanted to listen.”
With Juventus awaiting to play in the Champions League final in Berlin, where the pair clinched the 2006 World Cup, the former Bianconeri coach conceded opponents Barcelona are the favourites.
“[Andrea] Barzagli will play [in the absence of Giorgio Chiellini] and is a great defender.
“Barcelona are the strongest team in the world, but Barzagli is a worthy replacement for Chiellini. I think that Juve has 30-35% chance [of winning].
“For [Gianluigi] Buffon it is nice to be back in Berlin after ten years, there are too many coincidences, but it will not necessarily end well.”
