Gianluigi Buffon has responded to the news that his former teammate Andrea Pirlo is now his new boss, after the former midfielder became Juventus manager.
The Italian champions were knocked out of the Champions League on Friday night by Ligue 1 side Lyon, in the shock result of the week, leading to Maurizio Sarri's sacking on Saturday.
In another surprise, Pirlo, who was only announced as the club's under 23 manager last week, was quickly named as Sarri's successor.
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It means that Buffon, who signed a deal to stay in Turin until the end of next season, is now managed by his former teammate and he posted on Instagram saying, "So now I have to call you Mister!?!?! Good luck for this new challenge Andrea!"
In a statement on their website Juve announced a two year deal for Pirlo, saying, "Andrea Pirlo is the new Juventus coach. 41-years-old and born in Flero in the province of Brescia, Pirlo has had a legendary career as a player that has led him to win everything, from the Champions League to the World Cup in 2006. In his four years at the centre of the Juventus midfield, Pirlo won as many league titles, a Coppa Italia and two Italian Super Cups.
"Today, begins a new chapter of his career in the world of football, as it was said almost a week ago: from Maestro to Mister. From today he will be THE coach for people of Juventus, as the club has decided to entrust him with the technical leadership of the First Team, after having already selected him for Juventus Under 23."
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The appointment means that Buffon, who left the club in 2018 for PSG but returned last year, is being managed by a man one year younger than him. Together at the Allianz Arena they won four Serie A titles and a Coppa Italia, as well as reaching the Champions League final.
Sarri won his first league title with the Old Lady this season, in a career spanning 30 years, and it was club's ninth in-a-row.
However the side limped over the finish line with only two wins in the final eight games and lost the final two after the title was secure to only finish one point above Inter.
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There was already rumours that he might be sacked before the Lyon game but that loss, to a side who finished seventh in the shortened Ligue 1 season, was the final straw.
Will Pirlo be successful as a manager? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
Featured Image Credit:Topics: Football News, Maurizio Sarri, Serie A, Andrea Pirlo, Gianluigi Buffon, Juventus, Champions League, Lyon, Italy