Imagine seeing Kylian Mbappe or Angel Di Maria in a second tier somewhere in Europe in fifteen-years-time. Uhh, almost impossible? Couldn’t agree more with you.Yet, it seems that the Italian second division, Serie B, has attracted many former FIFA World Cup stars and winners. As things stand, seven former world champions are currently playing or coaching in Serie B. Of course, there are six Italians – all members of that unforgettable 2006 Gli Azzurri side, which clinched the World Cup title after beating France in the dramatic penalty shootout in Berlin.World Cup final 2006 highlights.Italy vs France pic.twitter.com/b8FyRLNyyB— FT-90-Extra ⚽ (@FT90Extra) December 16, 2022 Legendary keeper Gianluigi Buffon, 44, is the only one still active, playing for his childhood club, Parma. Unlike Buffon, five other Azzurri are working as managers in Serie B. The latest one to join the crew was Fabio Cannavaro, kickstarting his coaching career at Benevento in September 2022. He signed a two-year deal and is facing his former teammates, Filippo Pippo Inzaghi and Fabio Grosso. Inzaghi (half-offside, half-man) is in charge of Reggina, while Grosso sits in Frosinone’s dugout.Serie B class of 2022 (©IFTV)Two more names represent that outstanding WC side in the contemporary second tier – Daniele de Rossi is working as SPAL coach, and Alberto Gilardino is Genoa’s boss.Fabregas signs a contract and becomes a shareholder in Serie B ComoMoreover, legendary Spaniard Cesc Fabregas, who also won the World Cup title four years later, in 2010, now plays in the Italian second division. Fabregas, who’s eager to engage in a coaching career sooner or later, plays for Como. He joined a side from this picturesque town by the famous lake on a free transfer in 2022, buying a minority stake in the club along with his former Arsenal teammate Thierry Henry. ##NAJAVA_MECA_6906224##
