Pirlo hired to replace fired Sarri at Juventus

Cover Image
Photo credit FILE - In this Tuesday, July 4, 2006 filer, Italy's Andrea Pirlo celebrates his side's first goal by teammate Fabio Grosso in the extra time of the semifinal World Cup soccer match between Germany and Italy in Dortmund, Germany. World Cup winner Pirlo was named Thursday, July 30, 2020, coach of Juventus’ under-23 team, which plays in Serie C. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini, File)

TURIN, Italy (AP) — World Cup winner Andrea Pirlo was named Juventus’ new coach Saturday, hours after Maurizio Sarri was fired.

Pirlo was given a two-year contract, Juventus announced.

Sarri was fired after his first season in charge ended with the team’s Champions League exit.

Despite winning the Italian title, Sarri paid the price for the round-of-16 elimination by Lyon on Friday.

Ten days ago, Pirlo had been appointed coach of Juventus’ under-23 team, which plays in Serie C. But he had not coached a game yet.

Nicknamed “the maestro” for his passing skills, Pirlo as a player helped Italy win the 2006 World Cup and also won Serie A six times — twice with AC Milan and four times with Juventus. He also won the Champions League twice with Milan.

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