Massimiliano Allegri returns to Juventus after Andrea Pirlo sacked
Massimiliano Allegri has returned to Juventus, taking over as manager just hours after Andrea Pirlo left the position.
Allegri won five straight Serie A titles with Juventus and also reached two Champions League finals from 2014-19. He was fired by the club two years ago.
"Massimiliano Allegri is the Juventus coach once more," the club said in a statement. "Allegri returns to a bench that he knows very well, a club that he loves and that loves him back, to begin today a new journey together, toward new goals."
The 53-year-old has reportedly signed a three-year deal with Juventus.
Pirlo was the head coach of Juventus for just one season, leading the club to a fourth-place finish, which ended its run of nine straight Serie A titles. Juve did not say whether or not Pirlo walked away, but reports say the 42-year-old was fired.
Pirlo appeared surprised by the decision, writing on Instagram that he "reached all the objectives that were asked of me" and that his time at the club had ended "in a way I didn't expect."
Juventus won the Italian Cup and the Super Cup under Pirlo, while Inter Milan claimed the Serie A title. The club also suffered a round-of-16 loss to Porto in the Champions League.
Pirlo played for Juventus from 2011-15, helping the club capture the Serie A title four times. He also played for Milan, Brescia, Reggina and ended his playing career with NYCFC in 2017.
Although he was sacked, Pirlo likely won't be out of coaching for long. He has already been linked to Sassuolo's vacant job.
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