Italy great Fabio Cannavaro on facing Milan as GNK Dinamo coach
Wednesday, January 29, 2025
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"It couldn’t be any worse," joked Fabio Cannavaro as the GNK Dinamo boss prepares to face AC Milan in only his second European game with his new club.
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A UEFA Cup winner with Parma and UEFA Champions League regular with Inter, Juventus and Real Madrid, Fabio Cannavaro has taken a circuitous path since moving into coaching. The 2006 FIFA World Cup winner claimed titles in China in charge of Tianjin Quanjian and Guangzhou Evergrande, but has found the going tougher since returning to Europe.
Following short spells in charge of Italian sides Benevento and Udinese, the 51-year-old has taken command at GNK Dinamo, with his second league phase game seeing him face one of his old rivals: Milan, who his side play on Matchday 8.
On facing Milan on Matchday 8
Basically, it couldn’t be any worse. Maybe we could have faced Real Madrid or, I don’t know, [Manchester] City… But also because it’s an Italian team who are coached by a former team-mate of mine, and whose sports manager is a former team-mate of mine. I’ve seen them a lot this year, I know them well, and playing against Italian teams is certainly never easy. But at least we’re playing at home, and we know we have nothing to lose.
On Milan coach Sérgio Conceição, Cannavaro's team-mate at Parma and Inter
I’ve always had a great relationship with him. At Parma, I was the team captain, and I had to help new players settle into the team, so we spent many evenings together. Sérgio is a smart guy. He was without doubt a great professional, but I didn’t think he’d turn out to be the tough coach he has become. He’s defied my expectations.
I like him because he’s got a lot of character and personality, and what he did at Porto was truly exceptional. It was great that in his first few matches with Milan, he managed to lift the [Supercup] trophy. But I’m happy. Seeing a former team-mate of mine do well really makes me happy.
On his move to Dinamo
I still want to coach and be on the pitch after the great experience I had in Asia, even though I definitely had some issues in Europe and in Italy. I was relegated to Serie B; I had to settle for five games in Udine. It’s definitely not easy, because when you’re a coach you have your own vision of football.
My passion for coaching is huge; that’s why I accepted this job and also because when we talk about Dinamo Zagreb we’re talking about the best team in Croatia, the most important club, the most successful one. When you come here, you understand the difference between playing and winning. Here, you need to win.
On returning to the Champions League
When you hear that music, it always gives you an amazing rush. I felt it as a player and, without doubt, playing in Europe is what makes the difference. In Europe I played in the European Champions League, and I did it in Asia [as a manager], where we got to the semi-finals.
I participated in many [AFC] Champions Leagues, but the Champions League is definitely different. It’s special and I will definitely get goose bumps on the night, because the music gives you goosebumps.
