Modern Managerial Trends Dictate That Andrea Pirlo Can Succeed at Juventus

Despite being one of the greatest midfielders of all time and possessing one of football's most intelligent minds, the announcement that Andrea Pirlo would succeed Maurizio Sarri as Juventus manager shocked the football world.

The Italian was only appointed head coach of Juventus' Under-23 side nine days before being announced as manager of the first team. Keeping in mind that that appointment was his first ever role in football management, there's little - no, literally nothing - to suggest that Pirlo has earned the top job at Juve.

With such a talented crop of managers and coaches existing in world football and Juventus having supreme pulling power, it might've made more sense for the Italian champions to go for a more experienced head. The option to go for Pirlo, however, was a statement of intent.

Perhaps a statement that suggests they're waiting for a certain Spaniard currently in Manchester to become available, or perhaps a statement that they are strapped for cash - but it was a statement nonetheless.

Pirlo has been given a two-year deal with the Italian champions, and while expectations will remain high - considering Juve have won Serie A every season since 2011/12 - he's likely going to be given time to rebuild and adjust the club. While it seems like an avoidable risk to take, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's work as Manchester United head coach is proof that it has all the potential to pay off.

The obvious lack of managerial experience is bound to prove an issue at some point for the 41-year-old, and while Solskjaer is in a similar position, he's been learning the ropes of coaching and management for the best part of a decade at this point.

Still, though, there are parallels between the pair and the two clubs at this point in time. Solskjaer's only real experience of management at the top level was an eight month spell with Cardiff City in 2014, after which he swiftly returned to Norwegian side Molde.

Consider that he was tasked with not only replacing Jose Mourinho at United, but being the man to steady a sinking ship and finally rebuild the club in the post-Ferguson era without tarnishing his own legacy as a club legend, Solskjaer faced an incredibly difficult challenge. United took a risk by giving him the job on a permanent basis in March 2019, but they seriously needed a change of direction after a number of big name managerial appointments had failed.

Despite Sarri delivering a Scudetto in his only season at Juventus, his tenure has been a forgettable one and has left the club lacking direction or identity. The Old Lady find themselves in a similar position to where United were a year ago, and Pirlo's appointment might prove to be the perfect one.

It's somewhat cliche to hang onto the idea of 'DNA' and connection to a club in football these days - again, see Solskjaer at United - but there's no denying how important it actually is. Solskjaer gets United more than anyone else in football right now, which is exactly why the club seem to finally be getting back on track.

Similarly, Pirlo gets Juventus. He arrived in 2012 on a free transfer and quickly established himself as the heart of the team on the field. Despite enjoying monumental success before Juventus with Milan, he's now recognised for his success in Turin in the latter stages of his career.

It's exactly this deep connection to the club that makes Pirlo's appointment worth the risk. Even if he isn't successful in retaining the Scudetto or immediately hoarding trophies as manager, continuing without trying to rediscover an identity among the squad would've only seen their demise anyway. With the Italian maestro now in the hot seat, however, Juve can work on supporting him in an attempt to bring consistency to the club.

Perhaps it's this lack of coherency that has held Juve back on a European front. The signing of Cristiano Ronaldo has still not proved to be the final piece in the jigsaw that is winning the Champions League, which proves that the problem has been lying deeper.

By no means is this to say that Pirlo is going to win the Champions League with Juve anytime soon, but his potential impact on the club in restoring a sense of unity and pride might just be what the team needs to push themselves that bit further. Even if it comes with another manager at the helm, should Pirlo move on.

There's no denying that Juventus - who have dominated at domestic level for a decade - have taken a leap of faith in appointing Pirlo as manager. But for the next two years, he's the man in charge and they must do all that is possible to support him and allow him to learn the ropes. The appointment might even result in Juve having to go two steps back and surrendering the Scudetto or a Champions League push, in order to make strides forward later.

At worst, Pirlo is a stop gap appointment and he learns from the experience with a top side in Turin, which will undoubtedly better equip him for his next move, while Juventus potentially poach Guardiola. At best, the bearded Italian writes the perfect football story and forges a dynasty at Juve, being the man to provide the club with that final edge of grit and character that allows them to win the Champions League.

There's a lot of work to be done to ensure that this decision doesn't blow up in everyone's face, but the chance for success is actually more realistic than it seems.