- 15 hours ago
Andrea Pirlo: ‘Of course’ I want to keep Juventus job
Andrea Pirlo insists he remains committed to the head coach role at Juventus despite the club’s poor 2020/21 campaign.
The Bianconeri were going for a historic 10th Serie A title in a row this season but have put up a limp defence of the Scudetto, with Inter already confirmed as champions a couple of weeks ago.
Indeed, things have become so poor on the pitch under Pirlo – who was appointed last summer – that they are facing the real possibility of failing to even qualify for the Champions League.
Heading into the final round of fixtures, Juventus are currently in fifth one point behind Napoli in fourth and Milan in third.
Juve face Bologna away from home, while Napoli and Milan will take on Verona and Atalanta respectively.
Their poor performances domestically have also been compounded by an awful Champions League campaign in which they were eliminated at the round of 16 stage by Porto.
They did, however, win the Coppa Italia after a 2-1 defeat of Atalanta on Wednesday.
After that victory, Pirlo was asked about his future, and the Italian made it clear he wants to stay.
What did Pirlo say?
“Of course I would confirm myself (as a Juventus coach), that’s why I’m a coach. Then the club is in charge of deciding, but I would like to continue,” he told
"Of course I would confirm myself (as a Juventus coach), that's why I'm a coach. Then the club is in charge of deciding, but I would like to continue," Pirlo said at the end of the Italian Cup final, in statements to the Italian national television "Rai Sport"">RAI Sport.
“These triumphs cannot cancel our ups and downs, but as a first year as a coach I learned a lot. Many things happened, but the good thing about football is this, because in the end it gives you satisfaction like this Wednesday that gives you joy.”
Juventus’ lack of success in Serie A and the Champions League has left Pirlo under major pressure heading into the summer.
Names like former head coach Massimiliano Allegri and current Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane have been mentioned as potential replacements.
However, club director Pavel Nedved confirmed previously that Pirlo, and star forward Cristiano Ronaldo, would still be at Juventus next season.
“Cristiano Ronaldo will stay at Juventus, he’s untouchable. Also, Andrea Pirlo will be our manager next season,” he told DAZN.