Juventus have appointed Andrea Pirlo as manager to replace the sacked Maurizio Sarri, a week after he was hired to manage the Under-23. The Italian Champions sacked Sarri after just one season despite winning Serie A following the club’s Champions League last-16 defeat by Lyon on Friday.
41 year-old Andrea Pirlo has signed a new contract which will see him remain the club till June 2022. The former Italy midfielder was appointed as the U’23 manager on the 30th of last but has now been made to manage the senior team. Juventus said the decision to make Andrea Pirlo to the head coach is “based on the belief that Pirlo has what it takes to lead from his debut on the bench, an expert and talented squad to pursue new success”.
According to Juventus’ chief football officer Fabio Paratici, he said: “The decision for Pirlo was very natural, in the Juventus style, because he is someone who played for us, has always been in contact with everyone here and it felt natural.” “We also believe he is pre-destined for greatness. He was as a player and we are confident he can do the same as a coach.”
After Andrea Pirlo was appointed Under-23 boss, he said he would like to have the same “journey” as Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola and Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane. Guardiola and Zidane coached Barcelona and Real Madrid’s reserve teams respectively before taking on the main job. He added by saying: “But you need to earn it, gaining experience,” said Pirlo. “The path I’m about to embark on is the right one for me.”