Andrea Pirlo to Be Named as Juventus Under-23 Manager
By Tom Gott
Former midfielder Andrea Pirlo is set to be given his first taste of management by becoming Juventus' new Under-23 manager next season.
Following on from his retirement from playing in 2018, Pirlo began studying for his coaching badges and even began working towards obtaining his UEFA Pro License last year with a view to becoming a top-flight manager further down the line.
For the time being, he is qualified enough to lead a lower-league side like Juventus' Under-23s, who play their football in Serie C, and Gianluca Di Marzio notes that he has already accepted an offer to take control of the side next season.
Current boss Fabio Pecchia led the team to the Serie C Coppa Italia, but his contract expires this summer and it will not be renewed to allow Pirlo an opportunity to step in.
Pirlo could be joined by former midfielder and close friend Roberto Baronio, who currently works as Napoli's Under-19 boss.
Interestingly, Pirlo has previously spoken of his reluctance to manage an academy side, instead insisting that he would prefer to wait for a senior setup instead.
“I am more inclined towards the senior squads than youth ones,” Pirlo told Il Nuovo Calcio (via Football Italia).
“I think that I need a precise objective to aim for. I want to feel the adrenaline of the game, the victory or defeat, that responsibility. I don’t believe the youth teams are right for me, that’s not something I’d enjoy. I would prefer to start with grown-ups.”
For whatever reason, Pirlo looks to have had a change of heart, and he will now have the chance to get to grips with management with the reserve side once the 2020/21 campaign finally gets underway.