New Juventus Under-23 coach Andrea Pirlo reveals he ‘had Serie A and Premier League offers, but this was the best place to start’ his management career and he’ll be working closely with Maurizio Sarri.
The former midfielder has decided to go into management and his first job will be leading the Bianconeri B-Team, who currently play in Serie C.
Juve are the only club to have a reserve team currently competing in the senior leagues, as so far no other Italian outfit has taken up that option.
New Juventus Under-23 coach Andrea Pirlo reveals he ‘had Serie A and Premier League offers, but this was the best place to start’ his management career and he’ll be working closely with Maurizio Sarri.
The former midfielder has decided to go into management and his first job will be leading the Bianconeri B-Team, who currently play in Serie C.
Juve are the only club to have a reserve team currently competing in the senior leagues, as so far no other Italian outfit has taken up that option.
“I am proud to begin this career as a coach and hope to experience some of the emotions I had as a player,” said the 41-year-old in his press conference.
“I can’t wait to start, because the years away from the football field since my retirement made me realise this was the path I wanted going forward. I am very happy to have returned to Juventus.
“I arrived here after 10 years at Milan and was welcomed into this family. I got along well with the men here as well as the players, so when I left Turin, I still stayed in contact and remained friendly. It’s not the same with Milan, as there’s nobody left from when I was there.
“I had also received offers from Serie A and the Premier League, but I thought Juventus was the best place to start.”
Pirlo played for the Bianconeri from 2011-15, then finished his career in MLS with NYCFC in January 2018.
“I had been studying ever since I stopped playing, that increased my curiosity and desire to learn more, so I dived in 100 per cent. I had many coaches in my career and they all gave me something, from Carlo Ancelotti to Marcello Lippi and Max Allegri.
“However, every coach has to take his own path and I have a specific way of playing in my mind, it’s with ball to feet and always going for the victory. I hated some things as a player and never want to see them again. Systems aren’t the issue, it’s about occupying the space and working with the characteristics of the players.
“I would’ve liked to play in today’s Juventus. I like Sarri’s style of football, the playmaker sees so much of the ball and I’d have really enjoyed myself. I’ll certainly try to create a rapport with Sarri to help these young players grow and make their way into the senior team.
“I need to explain to these lads what Juventus really means. Anyone who plays against us will want to win even more and we must prove ourselves every time.”
Image credit: @juventusfc