Juventus appoint Andrea Pirlo as head coach

Juventus, Italian Serie A champions, have appointed Andrea Pirlo, their former player, as the new head coach of the senior squad.

Following the sacking of Maurizio Sarri, the club’s management moved swiftly to fill the vacant position within hours, and Pirlo, a former AC Milan midfield maestro, is their preferred choice.

It is just over a week since Pirlo was officially unveiled as the club’s U23 coach, taking his first step into coaching with a top tier club.

The Turin giant said that the 41-year-old has been given a two-year contract until June 2022.

The club, in a terse statement, extolled the legendary career of the former playmaker and free kick specialist, and his transition “from Maestro to Mister” as he takes over the reins of the first team and pursue new success for the Champions League thirsty club.

“Pirlo has had a legendary career as a player that has led him to win everything, from the Champions League to the World Cup in 2006. In his four years at the centre of the Juventus midfield, Pirlo won as many league titles, a Coppa Italia and two Italian Super Cups,” the 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.”

Pirlo played 164 games in four seasons at Juventus between 2011 and 2015, and also tasted Champions League triumph twice at AC Milan.

He joins the list of accomplished former players such as Carlo Ancelotti, Pep Guardiola, Zinedine Zidane, Diego Simeone, among others, who have successfully transitioned from player to coach.