Cannavaro returns to Evergrande as replacement for Scolari

Fabio Cannavaro is back at Guangzhou Evergrande Taobao for a second spell in charge, following his sudden departure in 2015.

Guangzhou Evergrande head coach Fabio Cannavaro returns to the side after leaving Tianjin Quanjian.

Chinese Super League champion Guangzhou Evergrande Taobao has turned to a familiar face, re-appointing Fabio Cannavaro as head coach.

Former Italy international and World Cup-winning defender Cannavaro returns to Evergrande as a replacement for Luiz Felipe Scolari, it was announced on Thursday.

The 44-year-old spent just seven months in charge of Evergrande, sacked in June 2015, after filling the void left by countryman Marcello Lippi.

However, Cannavaro makes his way back to Tianhe Stadium after leaving Tianjin Quanjian, where he guided the club to third place in its first season in the CSL, having achieved promotion in 2016.

READ: Sousa replaces Cannavaro as Tianjin Quanjian coach

"After discussion, we have decided to appoint Fabio Cannavaro as the head coach of Guangzhou Evergrande Taobao Football Club," seven-time reigning CSL winner Evergrande said in a statement.

Evergrande owner Xu Jiayin added: "Our target next year is to claim the club's eighth successive title and the treble. We want to win the CSL, the AFC Champions League and the FA Cup."