Andrea Pirlo finished his playing career at New York City and revealed he’s not ruling out a return as a coach to MLS. ‘I really enjoyed my time there’.
Pirlo surprisingly replaced Maurizio Sarri ahead of 2020-21 and a quick start against Sampdoria in Serie A increased the expectations of the former midfielder.
Pirlo, capped 116 times by the Azzurri, enjoyed an illustrious career in Europe with teams like Inter, Milan and Juventus, but admitted he still keeps a close eye on MLS and ‘won’t rule out’ a return.
The former Italy international. moved from Juventus to New York City in July 2015 and spent two and a half years at the club before retiring as a player.
The former Juventus coach is currently without a job after being replaced by Max Allegri at the Allianz Stadium and revealed he is ‘ready’ to start elsewhere immediately.
“I don’t watch all the games, but I turn it on when I can,” Pirlo told the Athletic. “I know it’s really hot this time of year. I remember playing in that heat. It’s hard for players to maintain high intensity when it’s this hot.
“I watch all the teams. I love New York — I had a place there before I moved stateside — but I like everything about MLS. I really enjoyed my time there.”
Pirlo played 62 competitive games with New York City, contributing one goal and nine assists during his time with the club.
The 42-year-old revealed he loved the ‘experience’ and has great memories from the Big Apple, including the birth of two of his children.
“I got on well with the club, my team-mates, the staff and the coaches I had,” Pirlo said. “It was a great life experience, a great football experience too.
“Two of my kids were born in America, so it’s something we’ll always carry with us. It’s like home to them, a part of our lives. They’re American.”
MLS has allured great names like Thierry Henry and Patrick Vieira to start their coaching careers in America.
Pirlo started his coaching career at the Allianz Stadium and picked up two trophies in his first year, but the exit in the last 16 of the Champions League and the fourth place in Serie A cost him the job at Continassa.
The former New York City player doesn’t rule out a possible return to MLS already and points at the development of soccer in the US.
“I’m not ruling out anything,” Pirlo continued. “It’s a great league. I see lots of coaches coming to MLS from other countries. I was lucky enough to play there. You saw what the USMNT did in the Gold Cup, so I’d say the American game is taking off.
“Lots of Americans are now playing for the best clubs in the world — Juve, Barcelona, Chelsea. If they’re playing at that level, it speaks to their potential.”
Pirlo admitted he ‘learned a lot’ during his only year at Juventus and continues to study other coaches to become a more complete tactician himself.
“I’m looking at lots of different coaches,” he reveals. “You can learn from anyone. I’m watching games and training sessions online.
“Once it’s easier to travel, I’ll go watch some in person. I bumped into Mauricio Pochettino on holiday in Ibiza and he asked me to swing by Paris and say hello. If I can, I’d like to go to Manchester to see Guardiola.”
But one thing is certain, as Pirlo plans to get back in action immediately and revealed he continues to look for vacant positions in the football world.
“I am ready to embark on a new adventure.”