Andrea Pirlo insists he ‘wanted to start again from the bottom’ at Fatih Karagumruk after Juventus and it was a valuable learning experience now that he becomes the coach of Sampdoria.
It had seemed to be a two-horse race for the job between Fabio Grosso and Francesco Farioli, but then former Juventus and Fatih Karagumruk boss Pirlo snuck in at the last minute to clinch the role.
He represents the start of a new era for Samp, who were relegated to Serie B, but saved from bankruptcy by Andrea Radrizzani’s takeover.
“I thank the President and club owners for this great opportunity,” said Pirlo in his press conference.
“For me, coaching Sampdoria is like training a Serie A club. I grew up with the legends of the Sampdoria side that won the Scudetto, the jersey and know that playing at Marassi was always a pleasure. I can’t wait to get started.
“My first game as a coach was against Claudio Ranieri’s Sampdoria, so I feel like I’ve come full circle.”
The 44-year-old lasted just one season at Juventus in 2020-21, then was hired for one year by Turkish side Fatih Karagumruk, a strange career path.
“I wanted to start again from the bottom in Turkey and we did good work there, it helped me to grow as a coach. Now I am far more experienced.
“It’s very different, being a coach to a player. When I started this profession, I was fortunate to do it from an extremely high level. I went to Turkey in order to start again from scratch and challenge myself, because I knew there was little chance of really doing well.
“Now we cannot promise that we’ll go straight into Serie A, but that has to be the dream. I have always thrown myself into every challenge with great enthusiasm, giving my all. I am not frightened of anything.”
Pirlo was asked if his work at Juventus was perhaps under-appreciated, especially considering it is the last time the Bianconeri actually won silverware.
“I do not look to the past. What’s been is been, it helped me to look into the future. I am concentrated on what I have to do with Sampdoria.”
There is also a personal touch to this role, as Pirlo reunites with his former teammate Fabio Quagliarella, while 2006 World Cup winner Alberto Gilardino is the coach of their rivals Genoa.