Pirlo ´honoured´ to be named new Juventus coach

Andrea Pirlo described his pride at being named Juventus head coach as he made his first public comments since Saturday’s shock appointment.

Serie A champions Juve moved swiftly after they were knocked out of the Champions League by Lyon in the last 16 on Friday.

Coach Maurizio Sarri was sacked the following day, with Pirlo – only recently named their Under-23s boss – promoted as his replacement on a two-year deal.

The World Cup winner took to social media on Sunday and said: “I’m deeply pleased and honoured to receive such respect and trust from Juventus.

“Ready for this amazing opportunity!”

Contento e orgoglioso di ricevere tanta stima e fiducia da @juventusfc.
Pronto per questa fantastica opportunità!
.
I’m deeply pleased and honored to receive such respect and trust from Juventus.
Ready for this amazing opportunity! pic.twitter.com/5zTuLBq3XW

— Andrea Pirlo (@Pirlo_official) August 9, 2020

Pirlo is now set to become a rival to Inter’s Antonio Conte, his former coach at Juve and Italy.

Conte welcomed the news as he faced the media ahead of Inter’s Europa League quarter-final against Bayer Leverkusen.

“I’m certainly very happy for Andrea,” said Conte, whose Nerazzurri finished a point behind Juve in Serie A.

“Besides what he gave me at a football level, we are talking about an exceptional person.

“What I think if there are players who I previously coached and are now coaching is that it means that I’m getting old!”