Juventus have moved quickly to replace Maurizio Sarri with Club Legend Andrea Pirlo. Juventus have confirmed that the former Italian international has signed a two-year deal.
Sarri was relieved of his services after he failed to lead Juventus to Champions League glory in his first season. A club statement read “Juventus Football Club announces that Maurizio Sarri has been relieved of his post as coach of the First Team. The club would like to thank the coach for having written a new page in Juventus’ history with the victory of the ninth consecutive championship, the culmination of a personal journey that led him to climb all the divisions of Italian football.”
Juventus have taken no time in preparing for next season by ending rumors surrounding who will manage the Old lady next season with the appointment of Andrea Pirlo as their new manager.
The 41-year-old has now taken charge of the Bianconeri despite not managing anywhere. He takes over the senior team ten days after he was announced as the under 23 manager.
Andrea Pirlo returns to Juventus after having enjoyed a productive spell at the club between 2011 and 2015 leading them to four straight Serie A titles as well as a champions league final in his final season. He also enjoyed a blissful career at the international level where he represented Italy making 116 appearances and winning the world cup in 2006. After his spell with Juventus Pirlo moved to the MLS where he retired in 2017.
Former Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino was linked to the Juventus job alongside former Juventus boss Allegri but the Bianconeri Hierarchy has chosen to take the route to appoint former club players like most elite teams like Arsenal and Chelsea have done in recent seasons.
A club statement read, “Today begins a new chapter of his career in the world of football, as it was said almost a week ago: from Maestro to Mister. From today he will be THE coach for people of Juventus, as the club has decided to entrust him with the technical leadership of the First Team, after having already selected him for Juventus Under 23. 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. Andrea Pirlo today signed a two-year contract until 30 June 2022.”
Pirlo inherits nine time seria A consecutive champions and will be required to meet expectations at Juventus that have led to the sacking of Sarri.