Sunday 28 April 2019 23:57, UK
Former Italy captain Fabio Cannavaro has quit as head coach of the China national team after six weeks in charge, overseeing two matches.
The losses were both 1-0 defeats against Thailand and Uzbekistan in the China Cup.
Cannavaro was named head coach of the Chinese national side less than two months ago, one week before the tournament began.
In a statement on social media platform Weibo, the 2006 World Cup winner wrote: "With due respect for China as a great country, I feel it's necessary to announce my decision to give up my position as the Chinese men's coach."
The 45-year-old is also manager of Guangzhou Evergrande, currently in his second spell with the seven-time Chinese Super League winners, after a seven-month tenure during the 2014/15 campaign.
Referring to his other role, Cannavaro added that: "Both [Chinese Football Association and Evergrande] wanted me to coach the two most important teams in China at the same time.
"But the dual position has left me with no time for my family."
Marcello Lippi, who coached Cannavaro and Italy to their fourth World Cup, stepped down as China manager in January after the country's quarter-final exit from the Asia Cup; but has remained in the international set up in an advisory role to Cannavaro.
China are currently 74th in the FIFA World Rankings.
