Cannavaro expects to stay at Guangzhou after 'miracle' title

Fabio Cannavaro said taking Guangzhou Evergrande to Chinese Super League title was "a miracle" and gave strongest indication yet that he expects to keep his job. 46-year-old Italian World Cup winner has temporarily moved aside as coach in October but returned to lead China's most successful club to championship on Sunday. It was former Juventus and Real Madrid defender's first major hour as a coach and a personal triumph after a turbulent few weeks during which he appeared to be on brink of sack.

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"I kw that many names have been mentioned as a replacement for me, including (Jose) Mourinho, (Zinedine) Zidane and (former Guangzhou coach) Scolari," Cannavaro told Guangzhou Daily in a report published Tuesday, referring to recent rumours.

"For a team of Evergrande's level, fans hope to have top coaches and coach will definitely face various pressures.

"I'm definitely t a perfect coach and it's impossible to make everyone satisfied." Guangzhou were still top of CSL in late October but a poor run led m to briefly push Italy's 2006 World Cup-winning skipper aside and put veteran captain Zheng Zhi in charge.

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Cannavaro made a surprise return at start of vember but only after a reprimand by club, which scolded him for his "weak ability to rectify mistakes". Guangzhou went on to win next three matches and seal ir eighth title in nine years with a 3-0 win over Shanghai Shenhua at weekend, after which Cannavaro was tossed in air by his jubilant players. "I kw very well that outside world had various opinions about it," Cannavaro said of brief period when he was relieved of his duties.

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He did t say how close he came to leaving but said winning CSL had fulfilled Guangzhou's demands for season. Bearing in mind injuries and need to revamp an ing squad, winning title was almost "a miracle", Cannavaro said, hailing Brazilian midfielder Paulinho as a "superhero". "An aver team can't do it," he added. Cannavaro said he has several priorities for next season, suggesting that he expects to still be in charge at Guangzhou. "I hope to furr reduce aver of team, get in better replacements and continue to provide talent for national team," he said.

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