TURIN, ITALY - SEPTEMBER 20: head coach of Juventus Andrea Pirlo looks on during the Serie A match between Juventus and UC Sampdoria at Allianz Stadium on September 20, 2020 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Daniele Badolato - Juventus FC/Juventus FC via Getty Images)

Igor Tudor Blasts Juventus for “Unfair” Decision to Fire Andrea Pirlo

Igor Tudor is still bitter about Juventus’ choice to sack Andrea Pirlo and reunite with Massimiliano Allegri. The former defender left his position as gaffer of Hajduk Split to help the rookie coach on the Bianconeri bench last summer. He commented in an interview with Croatian newspaper Vecernji List translated by Tuttosport.

“It was a tough year, but in the end, we managed to qualify for the Champions League, and we won Coppa Italia. But they still gave us the boot. I am sorry for it, and I think it was unfair. After this experience, I have made a definitive decision: I will no longer serve as an assistant for anybody else.”

Tudor recounted how he joined the Pirlo’s staff in the first place: “He called me personally. Juventus put together a list of options with five names on it, and Fabio Paratici let the manager make the final call. He picked me. Since he was close with Roberto Baronio and another analyst, they hired all three and put us on the same level. I did not think it was right because, after all, I am a head coach. However, I accepted because it was Juventus.”

A few reports indicated the coaching staff grew divided during the season, especially when Tudor looked poised to take over. Now the Croatian gaffer is among the options to replace Ivan Juric at Verona. He had a strict comment on the possibility: “It would be very nice.”