Zanini enjoyed a 16 year career as a cyclist winning the 1996 Amstel Gold Race, two Giro d’Italia stages and the Champs-Elysees finale in the Tour de France in 2000.
The 46-year-old Italian had previously worked in a similar position with the Silence-Lotto team after retiring as a cyclist in 2007.
"I am absolutely thrilled about the great opportunity that Pro Team Astana and Alexander Vinokurov have offered me," he said.
"I will do everything I can to repay their faith and will give 100% to help the team conquer new heights"
