Pirlo appointed manager of UAE second-tier club
Local media reported the 46-year-old has signed a two-year deal with the club. Founded in September 2022, United FC are also known as Dubai United. The club earned promotion from the third-tier in the 2022–23 season.
"Pirlo brings with him a unique footballing vision and valuable coaching experience from spells at Juventus and Sampdoria," the club said in a statement.
"His arrival marks an exciting new chapter for United FC and reflects the club's growing ambition in the UAE football landscape."
Pirlo guided Italian Serie B side Sampdoria to a seventh-place finish during the 2023-2024 season. He was sacked in August last year after a poor start to the season.
Pirlo retired from playing in 2017 after establishing himself as one of the best midfielders of his generation. He helped Italy win the 2006 World Cup, won the Champions League twice with AC Milan, and lifted four consecutive Serie A titles with Juventus from 2012-2015.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CNA
an hour ago
- CNA
Kelly a fitting hero in England's gritty Euro victory
MANCHESTER, England :It almost felt like football fate when Chloe Kelly stepped up to the penalty spot on Sunday against Spain, with the chance to make history for England in clinching their second consecutive women's European Championship title. The 27-year-old, who had been doubtful to make Sarina Wiegman's Euros team only six months ago, did her trademark run-up, lifting her left leg and skipping onto her right, before launching a powerful shot into the top corner. "Incredible game of football. I just came onto the pitch and wanted to make something happen," Kelly said. "Of course, taking the penalty, I actually missed three in training yesterday, (but) it's the belief in this squad, I'm really proud to be English right now and proud to be part of an amazing group of girls." Kelly was the hero in England's 2022 victory at Wembley, scoring in extra time before famously twirling her shirt above her head in celebration. She came to the Lionesses' rescue several times in Switzerland, scoring in the shootout in their quarter-final victory over Sweden, and smashing home her own rebound of a missed penalty against Italy in the semis. "I was cool, I was composed and I knew I was going to hit the back of the net. I don't miss penalties twice," she said of her winning spot-kick. Kelly's Switzerland story is remarkable considering back in January there were doubts she would make the Euros squad. She was barely playing for Manchester City and made a public plea to leave the club. She called them "dark days". Kelly's plea worked as she spent the rest of the season on a successful loan spell with Arsenal. "I'm so grateful to be out the back end," Kelly said. "But if that's a story to tell someone that maybe experiences something the same that tough times don't last. "Thank to everyone who wrote me off. I'm grateful." Wiegman wrapped the crying Kelly in a long embrace. "Everybody brings something different and she brings this," Wiegman said. "She has been fighting to come back and to be at her highest level. She really wanted to take that penalty of course, and celebrate that." Kelly did not wait long to celebrate. Before starting a television interview, she grabbed the mic to sing along to "Sweet Caroline" being belted out by the England crowd at St Jakob-Park. "It is going to be crazy," she said of the reception back home. "I hope the whole of England comes out to support us and shows their love to these girls as they deserve it." The Lionesses, who lost to Spain in the 2023 World Cup final, have talked about legacy in Switzerland.
CNA
an hour ago
- CNA
Bonmati crushed after Spain's shootout defeat by England
Spain playmaker Aitana Bonmati cut a disconsolate figure as she picked up her Player of the Tournament award at Euro 2025 on Sunday, minutes after her side finished as runners-up after losing a penalty shootout to England in the final. Bonmati bounced back from a meningitis scare ahead of the tournament to play a crucial role in Spain's progress to the final. However, on Sunday Spain struggled to unlock the England defence and Bonmati missed her spot-kick in the shootout as she slumped to another painful defeat following her club side Barcelona's Champions League final loss to Arsenal in May. "It's hard to see you right now," she told reporters. "Two months ago I found myself in this situation with the club. You have to value more when things are going well, we have been better on the pitch, not on penalties," she said. The 27-year-old apologised to the Spanish people for not being able to deliver a victory against an England side that was no match for them in terms of skill, but who refused to give up. "I assume my part of my responsibility, I play for the team and for many more people. There is no point in playing a better game and missing penalties," she said. "For me, England is a team capable of not playing well and winning. There are teams that don't need much to win." England took the chance they were offered and though Spain found themselves on the losing side, Bonmati was philosophical. "We haven't lost a game (in 90 minutes), we have received support and I feel bad about that too. We have won off the field of play and that is valuable too," she explained, before promising to come back stronger.
CNA
an hour ago
- CNA
Spain deserved more, says Tome after painful loss to England
BASEL, Switzerland :Spain coach Montse Tome was left ruing her side's inability to take their chances as the world champions fell to a penalty shootout by England in the Women's Euros final on Sunday after they dominated a game that finished 1-1 after 120 minutes. The Spaniards had 24 attempts on goal, but England's grit and determination dragged them to a shootout where they came up short, failing to convert three of their four spot-kicks as Chloe Kelly fired England to victory. "I think this team deserved more. I think we worked hard for a long time to reach this moment, to reach this final against a high-level national team as an event and what we saw in the game makes me think that the team deserved it," Tome told a media conference. "This is a sport, you must know how to lose, and today we missed the penalties." Spain took a first-half lead but England equalised through Alessia Russo and battled superbly to take the game to a 1-1 draw and a shootout. "I think we were better, but football is a sport where the best team doesn't always are an excellent national team, they showed their level during the tournament. They draw, and then they defend themselves to get the penalties," Tome said. The 42-year-old coach could not hide her disappointment that her squad had come up short of another major title. "This is our profession. what we worked for, what they worked for deserved a different ending," she said. "That's why today I have the feeling that we almost reached it, but it's gone. I really value all the work done - we wrote history during the whole tournament, and the team was good," Tome added.
