There will be no second year for Andrea Pirlo. Promoted to Juventus coach this season without previous experience at the highest level, the ‘Maestro’ did not pass the revalidation and this Friday his departure from the club was announced, which recovers Massimo Allegri, on the Bianconeri bench until 2019.
“Thank you Andrea. These are the first words that we have to pronounce at the end of this particular experience lived together, “said Juventus, who hours later announced to Allegri.
“Good homecoming Max!” Said the club about the return of the 53-year-old coach. During his first spell with Juventus (2014-2019), he won five consecutive Italian championships, as well as four Italian Cups and two Super Cups. He lost two Champions League finals (2015 and 2017).
The beauty of history is that it never stops. And in football, this means an important concept in our DNA: the most beautiful victory is always the next one, “said Juventus in their statement, making the return of the” winning machine “Allegri official.
According to the Italian media, the coach would have signed for four seasons and nine million euros (almost 11 million dollars) per year.
– Two titles –
Two titles -Italian Super Cup and Cup- and a ticket to the Champions League sealed ‘in extremis’ last Sunday on the last date, was insufficient baggage for Pirlo in a Juve that had won the previous nine league titles.
“It has been an intense year, complicated but nevertheless wonderful,” Pirlo said on Instagram after his dismissal.
For this reason, the 42-year-old young coach, who came to the bench without previous coaching experience, will not enjoy the opportunity of a second year at the helm of Juve.
“He has begun a journey of transformation, seeking and often succeeding in bringing his ideas and experience as a great player to the pitch,” Juventus wrote praising the ‘Maestro’.
Juve also welcomed the two titles won and the “passion” of its young coach, wishing him “good luck for a future that will undoubtedly be magnificent.”
After brief experiences with Maurizio Sarri (2019-20) and Pirlo (2020-21), Juve returns to the origins with Allegri, who was no longer counted on in 2019 despite his titles, considering his football little spectacular.
This season in Serie A Juventus quickly missed out on the title race, virtually since the January loss to the Nerazzurri.
“When Juventus called me I never thought about the risk I was taking, but it was quite evident. If I had to go back, I would choose the same, “he added, underlining having achieved” the objectives set. “
– Without style or soul –
Pirlo was a bet by Juventus president Andrea Agnelli, who saw in the elegant midfielder a young winner (2006 World Cup, two Champions Leagues and six Italian championships) with the charisma of Pep Guardiola or Zinedine Zidane.
His idea was a “total and collective football, with eleven active players in the offensive and defensive phase”, citing as models “Barcelona by Cruyff and Guardiola, Ajax by Van Gaal, Milan by Ancelotti and Juventus by Conte”. last two teams he played for.
After a good debut, the Italian winter, with the defeat against Inter and the elimination in the Champions League in the second round against Porto (1-2, 3-2 after extra time) sentenced him.
Pirlo’s Juventus found neither style nor soul, always dependent on Cristiano Ronaldo despite the ‘youth operation’ launched by signing Federico Chiesa, Dejan Kulusevski, Weston McKennie and Arthur.
The ‘Maestro’ leaves and Allegri returns with the challenge of reaching a third Champions League final. And let it be the final one. (GG) (AFP)