Andrea Pirlo, new coach of Turkish football team Fatih Karagumruk SK, talks to journalists during a press conference during an official presentation in Istanbul, Turkey, Monday, June 13, 2022. The former Italian international player has signed a one-year contract with the Istanbul-based team. (AP Photo)
PA
ISTANBUL
Former Juventus manager and player Andrea Pirlo has been appointed as the new coach of Turkish top-flight team Fatih Karagümrük.
Pirlo, 43, signed a one-year contract with the Istanbul-based club on Monday.
Public agency Anadolu quoted the club’s vice-president Serkan Hurma as saying the contract could be extended if “the parties trust each other and like working together”.
“Pirlo was already a globally recognized brand. We are happy to work with such a coach,” Anadolu quoted Hurma as saying during the signing ceremony in Istanbul.
Pirlo said: “I was interested in the team’s goals. I had similar aspirations and this is where they converged. I hope it’s a successful season.”
Pirlo was fired as Juventus manager last year after just one season in charge. It was his first managerial appointment and he led Juventus to the Coppa Italia and the Italian Super Cup, but the side’s fourth-place finish ended a run of nine consecutive Serie A titles .
Pirlo was replaced by Massimiliano Allegri, who returned to the legendary Italian club two years after being sacked by Juventus himself.
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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