Former Italy captain Fabio Cannavaro has been named as China’s new head coach, succeeding Marcello Lippi.

The former Real Madrid and Juventus defender Cannavaro, who won the World Cup in 2006, will continue to manage Chinese Super League side Guangzhou Evergrande.

Lippi, who quit after China’s quarter-final exit at the Asian Cup in January, will stay on as an advisor.

Cannavaro will encounter his first test at the helm of the Chinese National Men’s team when they face Thailand in the China Cup on 21 March.