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, has been a legendary player for the club – as have AC Milan and Italy – throughout his 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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“Today’s choice 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 successes,” Juve said in a statement.
“Today begins a new chapter of his career in the world of football, as was said almost a week ago: from Maestro to Mister,” it added.
Juventus can hope that Pirlo can replicate the performances of Zinedine Zidane, another former world-class player who has enjoyed success at Real Madrid despite no previous coaching experience.
Ex-Juve player Zidane has won two La Liga and three Champions League titles in two stints with the Spanish side since he first got the giant.
“The decision for Pirlo was very natural, in the Juventus style, because he is someone who played for us, has always been in touch with everyone here and it felt natural,” said chief football officer Fabio Paratici of ‘ and club.
“We also believe he is destined for greatness. He was a player and we are confident he can do the same as a coach.”
Under Sarri, Juventus had suffered a relegation of the 16 to the French club despite a 2-1 victory on Friday night, losing on the rule of outside goals when the tie ended 2-2.
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 during 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 stage 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. “
Reuters information was used in this report.
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