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Free Malaysia Today
3 days ago
- Sport
- Free Malaysia Today
Former Italy skipper Pirlo appointed boss of Emirati second-tier club
Andrea Pirlo has had spells in charge of several clubs, most recently Sampdoria, since retiring from playing in 2017. (EPA Images pic) PARIS : Former Italy captain Andrea Pirlo has been appointed as United FC coach, the Emirati second-tier club United FC announced today. The ex-AC Milan and Juventus midfielder has signed a two-year deal with the club, also known as Dubai United, who play in the UAE First Division League, one tier below the country's Pro League. Pirlo, 46, a key player in Italy's 2006 World Cup triumph, has had spells in charge of Juve, Fatih Karagumruk in Turkey and most recently Sampdoria since retiring from playing in 2017. 'We are proud to welcome Andrea to the United FC family,' United FC president Ilie Cebanu said. 'He embodies the values and ambitions of our club, and we believe he will be a key figure in taking us to the next level,' he added.
The National
5 days ago
- Sport
- The National
Andrea Pirlo appointed as new manager of Dubai side United FC
Italian football great Andrea Pirlo has been named as the new manager of UAE second-tier side United FC. The ex-AC Milan and Juventus midfielder has signed a two-year deal with the club, also known as Dubai United, who play in the UAE First Division League, one tier below the country's top-flight Pro League. It will be a fourth managerial role for Pirlo, 46, who has also had spells in charge in charge of Juventus, Fatih Karagumruk in Turkey and most recently, Sampdoria. "Pirl' brings with him a unique footballing vision and valuable coaching experience from spells at Juventus and Sampdoria," the'club, who finished fourth last season, said in a statement. 'His arrival marks an exciting new chapter for United FC and reflects the club's growing ambition in the UAE football landscape.' Club President Ilie Cebanu added: 'We are proud to welcome Andrea to the United FC family. He embodies the values and ambitions of our club, and we believe he will be a key figure in taking us to the next level.' As a player, Pirlo is widely regarded as one of the finest midfielders of his generation known for his effortless control, calmness in possession and pinpoint passing ability. Pirlo's 26 goals from free-kicks in Serie A is second only to Serbian defender Sinisa Mihajlovic in the all-time Italian top-flight list. He started his playing career at Brescia before joining Inter Milan in 1998 where he spent three seasons – which included spells out on loan with Reggina and back in Brescia – before moving to the AC Mila where he would play 400 games, scoring 41 goals and provide 71 assists. It was at the San Siro's other club that Pirlo would establish as one of the world's finest over the next nine-and-half seasons that would see the Rossoneri win two Uefa Champions Leagues, Uefa Super Cups and Serie A crowns, as well as on Fifa Club World Cup and one Coppa Italia. The silverware kept on coming after moving to Juventus in the summer of 2011 as Pirlo lifted the Serie A title in all of his four seasons with The Old Lady, as well as winning the Supercoppa Italia twice and the Coppa Italia. He would make 164 appearances for Juve, scoring 19 goals and assisting a further 38 before spending the twilight of his playing career in the MLS with New York City FC. For the national team, would play 113 games, scoring 13 and assisting 25, scoring in the 2006 World Cup final shoot-win over France that would see Italy crowned world champions for the first time in 24 years. Pirlo's coaching career has failed to hit the heights of his playing one, despite replacing the sacked Maurizio Sarri as Juventus manager in August 2020 just one week after being put in charge of the Under-23 side. 'The decision for Pirlo was very natural, in the Juventus style, because he is someone who played for us, has always been in contact with everyone here and it felt natural,' said Juventus' chief football officer Fabio Paratici after the 41-year-old's appointment. 'We also believe he is predestined for greatness. He was as a player and we are confident he can do the same as a coach.' But despite tasking charge of a side looking to make it 10 successive Serie A titles for Juve – and having the likes of Leo Bonucci, Dejan Kulusevski and Cristiano Ronaldo in his squad – Pirlo's reign lasted just one season. They finished fourth in Serie A and were knocked out in the Champions League last-16 for a second successive season – beating Atalanta to win the Coppa Italia was not enough to save Pirlo and he was sacked the same month. 'It's been an intense, complicated year but still wonderful. When I got the call from Juventus, I never thought about the risk I was taking,' Pirlo said, who was replaced by former Juve coach Massimiliano Allegri. 'This adventure, despite an unexpected ending, made it even clearer what I would like my future to be, which I hope will be just as complete and fulfilling as the one I experienced as a player.' His next managerial job arrived in the summer of 2022 was appointed as manager of Turkish club Fatih Karagumruk but was again sacked after less than a year with the team ninth in the Super Lig table. A month later, and he was back in Italy, this time taking over at Sampdoria, who had just been relegated to Serie B. The team finished seventh in his first campaign but Pirlo lasted just three games in the second after securing just a single point leaving with Sampdoria 19th in the table. Pirlo's first game of the new UAE First Division League season sees United FC travel to the outskirts of Sharjah to take on Al Dhaid on September 20.
Ammon
5 days ago
- Sport
- Ammon
Pirlo appointed manager of UAE second-tier club
Ammon News - Former Italy captain Andrea Pirlo has been appointed manager of Dubai-based United FC, the United Arab Emirates' second-tier club announced on Friday. Local media reported the 46-year-old has signed a two-year deal with the club. Founded in September 2022, United FC are also known as Dubai United. The club earned promotion from the third-tier in the 2022–23 season. "Pirlo brings with him a unique footballing vision and valuable coaching experience from spells at Juventus and Sampdoria," the club said in a statement. "His arrival marks an exciting new chapter for United FC and reflects the club's growing ambition in the UAE football landscape." Pirlo guided Italian Serie B side Sampdoria to a seventh-place finish during the 2023-2024 season. He was sacked in August last year after a poor start to the season. Pirlo retired from playing in 2017 after establishing himself as one of the best midfielders of his generation. He helped Italy win the 2006 World Cup, won the Champions League twice with AC Milan, and lifted four consecutive Serie A titles with Juventus from 2012-2015. Reuters
BBC News
6 days ago
- Sport
- BBC News
Pirlo named boss of second-tier UAE club United FC
Italy legend Andrea Pirlo has been appointed manager of Dubai-based United will be the 46-year-old's fourth club in five years since he took charge of Juventus in won the Coppa Italia and Italian Super Cup after replacing Maurizio Sarri in Turin, but was sacked by Juve at the end of the season after they finished fourth in Serie also lasted less than a year at Turkish side Fatih Karagumruk and had 14 months with Sampdoria before departing in August FC, also known as Dubai United, compete in the second tier of football in the United Arab Emirates, below the has reportedly signed a two-year contract with the club who said: "Pirlo brings with him a unique footballing vision and valuable coaching experience. "His arrival marks an exciting new chapter for United FC and reflects the club's growing ambition in the UAE football landscape."As a player, Pirlo won major trophies with AC Milan and Juventus and lifted the 2006 World Cup with Italy, before the midfielder retired in 2017 after a spell with New York City.
CNA
6 days ago
- Sport
- CNA
Pirlo appointed manager of UAE second-tier club
Former Italy captain Andrea Pirlo has been appointed manager of Dubai-based United FC, the United Arab Emirates' second-tier club announced on Friday. Local media reported the 46-year-old has signed a two-year deal with the club. Founded in September 2022, United FC are also known as Dubai United. The club earned promotion from the third-tier in the 2022–23 season. "Pirlo brings with him a unique footballing vision and valuable coaching experience from spells at Juventus and Sampdoria," the club said in a statement. "His arrival marks an exciting new chapter for United FC and reflects the club's growing ambition in the UAE football landscape." Pirlo guided Italian Serie B side Sampdoria to a seventh-place finish during the 2023-2024 season. He was sacked in August last year after a poor start to the season. Pirlo retired from playing in 2017 after establishing himself as one of the best midfielders of his generation. He helped Italy win the 2006 World Cup, won the Champions League twice with AC Milan, and lifted four consecutive Serie A titles with Juventus from 2012-2015.
