Former Italy defender and 2006 FIFA World Cup winner, Fabio Cannavaro has been unveiled as ‘executive head coach’ of Chinese Super League champions Guangzhou Evergrande on Wednesday.

The 41-year old, who was named World Player of the Year in 2006, will come in to take a chunk of the coaching work off compatriot Marcelo Lippi who was Italy coach when the Azzurri claimed the 2006 world title in Germany.

Lippi had revealed he would be taking a step back from coaching Evengarde on a full-time basis after leading the club to a fourth consecutive Chinese Super League title on Sunday.

66-year old Lippi had suggested the appointment of an executive head coach, to allow him spend more time with his family whom he previously saw just once every six months.

”I’m still the chief director and the head coach of the team” Lippi stated, adding that ”I’m just not going to be on the pitch every day. [Appointing] an executive head coach would allow me to visit home every two months.”

Cannavaro, who featured for Real Madrid, Juventus, Parma, Inter Milan and Napoli during his playing days, was most recently assistant coach at United Arab Emirates club Al Ahli.