Andrea Pirlo has spoken about his past with AC Milan and also about the rumours that he could have become the new head coach if Stefano Pioli had been fired.
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Just after Paolo Maldini was sacked as the technical director back in June, reports emerged from various sources – including journalist Franco Ordine – claiming that Maldini spoke with Pirlo about the potential of him succeeding Pioli.
That would never come to fruition and in the end Pirlo left Turkey to coach in Serie B with Sampdoria who had just been relegated to the second tier, and he has so far earned mixed reviews there to put it nicely.
Pirlo is the current coach of Sampdoria, ex-coach of Juve and ex-player of Italy, Milan, Inter and Juve among others, and he spoke on the stage of the Trento Sports Festival about a number of topics. His comments were relayed by Calciomercato.com.
Who were the best coaches you worked with?
“Ancelotti, with whom we won everything at Milan, and Giovanni Trapattoni, the first to call me up for the senior national team, are also special. Conte was able to give me so much motivation, he made me relive a second youth. With Lippi we became world champions, the Italian adventure is unforgettable for everyone.”
What was your relationship like with Allegri?
“I had a normal relationship with Allegri despite many things being said and written. We were together for two years, one at Milan and the other at Juventus. He thought that I was no longer a footballer for that Milan, he had found other solutions and had thought that I was no longer important and I decided to leave.
“At Juventus, however, we finished a good winning cycle. I left because I didn’t want to be a burden to anyone and to be left aside for the important matches. I wanted to always play , so I left and it was my decision.”
Is it true you held talks over becoming Milan head coach?
“With Maldini just chatting between friends…”
What was it like winning the Champions League at Milan?
“The first Champions League with Milan was one of the greatest satisfactions ever. I had never played that competition, it was a very long journey that even started from the preliminaries. It was the best victory achieved with Milan, the first Champions League victory is never forgotten.
“We were an extraordinary group, just as it was exciting to see all those fans in Manchester. The secret of that Milan was the group, we liked to feel good and live the daily life of Milanello. We talked about everything, we fooled around, we discussed everyday life. Good moments.”
And then you moved to Juventus…
“I had a great relationship with Milan. In life, however, you make choices and after ten years I aspired to new motivations. And I also wanted to demonstrate to Milan that I was not a finished player, but capable of influencing the new course.
“In fact, given what was done in the new course of Juventus, I was right. The project that Andrea Agnelli illustrated to me was that of a club that wanted to win again, it was very stimulating and I refused also some possibilities abroad.
“The first retreat in Philadelphia with Conte was very tough. It was 40 degrees, someone left the pitch on a stretcher. But from that retreat a great Juventus was born.”
