Guangzhou, June 5 (IANS) Brazil’s 2002 FIFA World Cup-winning coach Luiz Felipe Scolari has replaced Fabio Cannavaro as the head coach of Guangzhou Evergrande.
Scolari, 66, on Thursday signed a two-and-half-year deal with the Chinese Super League champions just two weeks after quitting as manager of Brazil’s Gremio, reports Xinhua.
Cannavaro, who captained Italy to victory at the 2006 World Cup, took over as Guangzhou head coach only in December from his compatriot Marcello Lippi. Cannavaro guided Guangzhou to the top spot in the current season’s standings with seven wins from 13 matches.
“According to the club’s strategic development needs, it was decided to appoint Scolari as coach,” Guangzhou said.
It is understood Scolari will be joined by his long-time assistant coach Flavio Murtosa.
Scolari coached Brazil to victory at the 2002 World Cup. He returned for a second spell as the Selecao coach in late 2012 before being axed after the team’s shambolic 1-7 World Cup semi-final defeat to Germany last July.