Barzagli returns to Juventus in new first-team technical role

Former defender Andrea Barzagli has returned to Juventus in a role that will see him work closely with the first team.

Barzagli, 38, retired from playing at the end of last season after helping Juve claim an eighth successive Serie A title – all of which he was involved in.

The 2006 World Cup winner, capped 73 times by Italy, is now making a return to the Bianconeri as part of Maurizio Sarri’s backroom staff.

Juventus described him as a ‘technical collaborator of the first team’ when announcing the appointment, and said Barzagli would be present at training on Thursday.

He is back! @andreabarzagli2 has returned home!

https://t.co/RxlIYkqTly pic.twitter.com/TYoWmvyyJB

— JuventusFC (@juventusfcen) September 25, 2019

Barzagli was signed from Wolfsburg in 2011 and went on to make over 250 appearances for the current Serie A champions, who play SPAL on Saturday.

Sarri’s team remain unbeaten after coming from behind to beat Brescia 2-1 on Tuesday evening.