Juventus have sacked Andrea Pirlo as manager after just one season in charge, a statement on the club’s website confirmed on Friday. 

The former midfielder, who has enjoyed trophy-laden spells at Juventus and AC Milan as a player, won the Italian Supercup and the Coppa Italia in his first-ever managerial role. 

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“For all this, for the courage, the dedication, the passion with which he demonstrated every day, our thanks go to the Maestro, the Coach and to Andrea, that really comes from the heart. As well as our good luck for the future that will surely be a wonderful one,” the statement read. 

Pirlo’s stint at the helm was a largely disappointing one as the Turin-based side surrendered their Serie A crown to rivals Inter Milan while also suffering a humiliating round-of-16 exit in the Champions League against Porto.

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Juventus were on the verge of failing to qualify for the Champions League, only managing to scrape through with a final-day victory against Bologna, coupled with Napoli dropping points. 

“My first season as a manager has ended. It has been an intense, complicated but in any case wonderful year,” Pirlo said on Instagram. “If I had to go back I would make exactly the same choice.”

The sacking opens the door for the return of former manager Massimiliano Allegri, who won five consecutive Serie A titles with the Italian giants in his spell from 2014 to 2019. The 53-year-old also won four consecutive Coppa Italias and reached two Champions League finals. 

Allegri’s side were beaten by Barcelona in the 2014/15 final, while Real Madrid went to become the first club to successfully defend their European crown in the current era when they beat Juve in the 2016/17 final. 

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In the first of those losses, Pirlo was at the heart of Juve’s midfield, playing in what will be his final game in Europea football as he made his way to play in Major League Soccer, with New York City FC, thereafter. 

Allegri was rumoured to be the favourite to succeed Real Madrid’s Zinedine Zidane, after the Frenchman parted ways with the Spanish giants following a trophyless campaign on Thursday.