Cannavaro quits as Lippi rumors swirl

An increasing sense of farce is enveloping China's national soccer team after Fabio Cannavaro quit as caretaker head coach on Sunday night amid speculation that his predecessor, Marcello Lippi, could return to the job in which he underwhelmed.

Cannavaro only managed two games in charge, both limp losses at last month's invitational China Cup, after controversially taking the role in addition to his job as head coach of Chinese Super League side Guangzhou Evergrande.

Further confusion was caused by the nature of Cannavaro's appointment, with both he and the Chinese Football Association not disclosing the basic terms of his contract and refusing to confirm if it was as it appeared to be - a short-term trial.