Juventus have appointed Andrea Pirlo as coach just hours after the dismissal of Maurizio Sarri following the elimination of the Champions League against Lyon, the club announced on Saturday.
Pirlo, 41, was a legendary player for the club, as did AC Milan and Italy throughout his illustrious career, winning many league titles, the Champions League and a World Cup in 2006. He was appointed manager of Juventus’ Under- 23-side just last month, but has now signed a two-year contract to coach the first team.
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Under Sarri, Juventus suffered a relegation of 16 to the French club despite a 2-1 victory on Friday night, losing on the rule of outside goals as the league ended 2-2 overall.
A statement from Juventus said of his resignation: “Juventus Football Club announces that Maurizio Sarri has been relieved of his duties as first team coach.
“The club would like to thank the coach for having a new page in the history of Juventus with the victory of the ninth consecutive championship, the culmination of a personal journey that led him to all the divisions of Italian football. climb. “
Despite winning a ninth consecutive Serie A title last month, Sarri’s team failed to convince the critics in its first charge season. Their failure to match even the performances of last season’s quarter-final in the Champions League was the last straw for the 61-year-old.
Sarri leaves Juventus with a record of 34 wins in 51 competitive games, eight hits and nine defeats. Their 83-point Serie A this season was the lowest of their nine-season title rush. Juventus also lost the Italian Supercup to Lazio and the final of Coppa Italia to Napoli.
“If I had not been devastated by not qualifying, I would have been happy with the performance,” Sarri said after Juventus’ defeat to Lyon.
“I actually expected less from us. I think we played a great game. We fell behind after a penalty kick that could have made us lose our head and we had three chances when we were 2-1 up front.”
Meanwhile, Juventus boss Andrea Agnelli said he was approaching Cristiano Ronaldo staying at the club despite leaving the Champions League in the round of 16 for the first time since 2010.
A report in France had claimed that Ronaldo wanted to move to Paris Saint-Germain. Sources have told ESPN, though the Ligue 1 side is prioritizing the contract renewal of key players Kylian Mbappe and Neymar.
“I’m completely convinced he’s staying,” Agnelli said. “I think the report was down after an interview several months ago that just happened to be published just before we played against a French team. It’s an old media trick. No, I can assure you that Ronaldo is a pillar of Juventus remain. “
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