As expected, Udinese have officially sacked Gabriele Cioffi and appointed Fabio Cannavaro for the final five matches of the campaign. The 2006 World Champion won't have much to prepare for his first match. The Friulani will complete the clash with Roma on Thursday.

According to Sky, the Bianconeri targeted Edy Reja at first, but he preferred not to take the job for family-related reasons. The new gaffer will be assisted by his brother Paolo, Giampiero Pinzi, and Emanuele Troise, among others.

Cannavaro will make his Serie A debut on the bench with Udinese. After managing multiple sides abroad, primarily in China, he guided Benevento in Serie B for 17 matches last season. He recovered 3 wins, 7 draws and 7 losses before getting the ax. He helmed Al-Nassr, Tianjin Quanjian, and Guangzhou Evergrande abroad, winning one championship and one Super Cup.

It's the second coaching change of the season for the Friuliani. Andrea Sottil was on their bench to start the season. He was ousted in October. They are currently 17th, level with Frosinone. They have suffered three losses in the last four rounds, collecting just a point versus Sassuolo. According to Alfredo Pedulla, the brass was adamant about giving Pinzi a prominent role under the new gaffer. He was under contract with Verona.

Our Take on Udinese and Cannavaro They had to do something as they failed to rise to the occasion in multiple head-to-head clashes. Still, bringing in somebody with no previous top-flight experience and a lackluster Serie B one so late is a significant gamble.