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After commencing his reign at Juventus with a convincing 3-0 home win over Sampdoria, Andrea Pirlo has come under pressure following a series of uninspiring performances.
The former player has found the going tough, especially in Serie A, as Juventus have struggled to eke out results against the supposedly 'lesser' teams like Hellas Verona, Crotone and Benevento.
Cristiano Ronaldo's brace at Roma and a goal at Lazio saved Andrea Pirlo's blushes, and helped preserve the stumbling Bianconeri's less-than-impressive unbeaten start to the domestic season.
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5 men who could replace Andrea Pirlo at the Juventus helm
In the Champions League, Juventus recovered from a 0-2 home defeat to Barcelona to qualify for the Round of 16, but have not looked like a team that could go all the way in the competition this year.
Considering that the two previous Juventus managers - Maurizio Sarri and Massimiliano Allegri - faced the sack for failing to win the Champions League despite continuing the club's domestic dominance, Andrea Pirlo is certainly treading on thin ice.
Juventus have drawn five of their nine Serie A games this season and lie six points adrift of runaway leaders AC Milan, which is hardly an ideal scenario for Andrea Pirlo. He has tinkered too much with his playing XI, and Juventus haven't been frugal at the back and prolific up front - attributes that the Bianconeri have prominently displayed during their decade-long Serie A dominance.
Although the 41-year-old has the support of the Juventus hierarchy for now, he is looking like a misfit at the club's helm. On that note, let us have a look at five men who could replace Andrea Pirlo as the next Juventus manager.
#5 Zinedine Zidane
On the face of it, Zinedine Zidane is a very long shot to land the Juventus job at the moment.
The Frenchman is currently the manager of Real Madrid and is contracted with the club till the summer of 2002. However, after a bright start to his second stint at the helm of the 13-time Champions League winners - Zidane delivered Real Madrid's first La Liga title in three years last season - Los Blancos have had an indifferent start to the 2020-21 campaign.
If the former player is not able to turn around his side's fortunes, and Real Madrid fall further off the pace, he could be relieved by the club before the end of his contract. However, considering the success he has had at the club, Real Madrid aren't likely to be impatient with Zidane and will probably not make a decision on the Frenchman till at least the end of the season.
In the event that Zidane falls out of favour at the Bernabeu, Juventus could be an enticing option for a bevvy of reasons. The Frenchman is a much-loved man in Turin because of the success he had at the club during his playing career.
Moreover, a move to Juventus could see Zidane reunite with Juventus striker Cristiano Ronaldo, a pair that brought unprecedented success to Real Madrid in a very short period. To put the icing on the cake, the Frenchman is the only manager to win three consecutive Champions League titles.
If Juventus harbour Champions League ambitions, there may be no better pair than Zidane and Ronaldo to deliver the same.
#4 Thomas Tuchel
Paris Saint Germain manager Thomas Tuchel could be another contender for the Juventus top job if Andrea Pirlo ceases to remain at the club's helm.
Unlike Zidane, the German tactician could be available as early as next summer, as his contract at the French club runs out at the end of the season.
Tuchel is no stranger to title ambitions at a top club. During his previous managerial stint at Borussia Dortmund, he won the first trophy of his career by leading BVB to the 2017-18 DFB Pokal title.
Since his arrival in Paris, Tuchel has done a pretty decent job. winning back-to-back league titles and leading PSG to their first Champions League final last season.
The 47-year-old has displayed impressive tactical flexibility and man-management prowess, managing the egos of big-name players like Kylian Mbappe, Neymar and Angel Di Maria. His team has delivered the goals up front while maintaining defensive solidity.
Tuchel's job at PSG is in no danger despite the club losing twice against Manchester United in the Champions League. PSG are second in their UCL group and are leading the 2020-21 Ligue 1 table after 12 games.
However, as the season evolves, Juventus could consider courting the German if results do not improve under Pirlo.
#3 Julian Nagelsmann
Julian Nagelsmann, one of the youngest active managers in European club football, has carved out a niche for himself during his relatively short managerial career till date.
After leading TSG 1899 Hoffenheim to the Champions League for the very first time, Nagelsmann became the youngest person to manage 100 Bundesliga games before he made a move to Leipzig in last summer.
In an impressive first season at the helm of one of the newest top-5 league clubs in Europe, Nagelsmann took Leipzig to the Champions League semi-finals in the club's debut campaign in the competition.
Nagelsmann, who has shown a proclivity for quick-pressing attacking football, is on the radar of a bevy of top European clubs.
Should the top job at Juventus become available, the 33-year-old would definitely be one of the contenders despite being contracted with Leipzig till 2023.
#2 Mauricio Pochettino
Former Tottenham Hotspur boss Mauricio Pochettino is another high-profile manager who could be ready to take over at Juventus if Andrea Pirlo is shown the boot.
One of the most astute tacticians in the game, Pochettino may not yet have a trophy to show for his pedigree. But the former Espanyol and Paris St. Germain player led Tottenham Hotspur to their highest league finish (third) in over three decades. He also led the London club to the cusp of their maiden Champions League title, but that was not to be as Spurs fell to Liverpool in an all-English 2018-19 final.
Pochettino's high-pressing attacking style of football may help endear himself to the Juventus faithful. His impressive man-management skills could also be conducive in dealing with big-name players like Cristiano Ronaldo, Georgio Chiellini, Leonardo Bonucci and Wojciech Szczesny, to name a few.
Moreover, Pochettino could arrive at Juventus at short notice, as he is presently without a club after leaving Spurs last year.
#1 Massimiliano Allegri
Former manager Massimiliano Allegri may be the most enticing option for Juventus if Andrea Pirlo faces the sack.
The 53-year-old Italian has one of the most impressive resumes in football management. Renowned for his tactical versatility and intelligence, Allegri has delivered five consecutive Serie A titles during a hugely successful stint at Juventus.
He also led the Bianconeri to two Champions League finals, but his inability to win the competition cost him his job.
Nevertheless, 'Max' Allegri remains one of the most successful managers in the history of Juventus. He could also be available to join the club at short notice, as he is presently without a club after leaving the Bianconeri last summer.
Allegri is already on the radars of a plethora of top clubs like Chelsea, Manchester United and PSG. Juventus will have to move quickly if they decide to reunite with their old gaffer.
