Andrea Pirlo looks back on his playing and coaching career, admitting Max Allegri played a part in his departure from Milan, the rebirth at Juventus and winning the World Cup with Italy.
The former midfielder was a guest at the Gazzetta dello Sport Festival and spoke on stage about some of his best and worst moments on the field.
“Carlo Mazzone was the first to see me in the deep-lying midfielder role, he wanted me to be the Falcao of Brescia, and he really had vision. Carlo Ancelotti is a fantastic person, I am proud to have had him as a coach and a friend.
“As for Antonio Conte, he was the right person to start that new era at Juventus and gave me a second wind in my career. With Marcello Lippi, we became world champions and that Azzurri adventure was truly unforgettable.”
Of all the coaches he worked with, there was famously a tense rapport between Pirlo and Allegri.
“It wasn’t that unusual, even though many things have been said about it. I had two years with Allegri, the first at Milan with my only real serious injury and during that time he had found other options. He thought that I was no longer an important player for that Milan team.
“I had a very good year with him at Juventus and that was the icing on the cake to end my time there. I did not want to be a burden on anyone, or to sit out the important games, so I preferred to leave Juve even if I still had a year left on my contract.”
Pirlo was an integral part of the Italy squad that won the 2006 World Cup, as the team banded together despite the Calciopoli scandal that was going on back home.
“There was this belief within the group that we could go all the way and our confidence just kept growing thanks to what was happening outside of the camp. We created this solid unit that allowed us to make a dream come true.”
He returned to Juventus to start his coaching career, even if it only lasted one year, and is now in Serie B at the helm of Sampdoria.
“I can only thank Juventus for giving me the job without experience. It was a good season, starting a new way of playing. I am sure we would’ve improved in following years, but I am not bitter about their decision.
“Clearly, when your coaching career starts at Juventus, you can only go down from there. It was disappointing, but I am pleased with the path I have taken.
“Sampdoria did not ask for immediate results, but to create a new project for a club that was coming off the verge of bankruptcy. It was impossible to say no, Samp are known all over the world and have a fantastic fanbase.
“We know that there are no funds to buy players, so we are on our own, but can still have a dignified campaign.”
champion hero nobody shot a ball like him i wish we had players like him today