Gianfranco Zola said he is surprised by Juventus decision to appoint first-time head coach Andrea Pirlo following Maurizio Sarri s dismissal.
Pirlo, 41, was sensationally appointed Juve coach on Saturday after the Serie A winners sacked Sarri following their Champions League last-16 exit at the hands of Lyon.
Former Juve midfielder Pirlo, who was only recently named the Under-23s boss in Turin, will surprisingly have his first taste of senior coaching with the Bianconeri.
Zola worked as an assistant to Sarri at Chelsea in 2018-19 and he told Sky Sport Italia: I d be lying if I said I wasn t surprised by this.
It s fascinating and if the project works, it ll go down as a huge success story for the club. It s not an easy job, though, as Juventus are asking to win in a certain way.
This is a courageous move from the club and based on the quality of the man, but Pirlo will need their support going forward. It s not simple, but I do think he can have real success.
Contento e orgoglioso di ricevere tanta stima e fiducia da .
Pronto per questa fantastica opportunità!
.
I’m deeply pleased and honored to receive such respect and trust from Juventus.
Ready for this amazing opportunity!
— Andrea Pirlo (@Pirlo_official)
Pirlo left Juve in 2015 after the Bianconeri, who had been chasing the treble, were beaten 3-1 in the Champions League final by Barcelona.
He spent two years in MLS with New York City before calling time on his playing career.
The 2006 World Cup winner is a six-time Serie A champion, having won two Scudetti with Milan and four with Juve. He twice triumphed in the Champions League as a Rossoneri player, in 2003 and 2007.
