Fallen Italian giants AC Milan on Wednesday appointed Stefano Pioli as their new coach a day after his predecessor Marco Giampaolo was sacked after just seven games in charge.
The 53-year-old former Inter Milan boss arrives on a two-year deal, reported to be worth in the region of two million euros ($2.2 million) a season.
Giampaolo was fired after just 111 days in the job as the former seven-time European champions slipped to 13th place in Serie A, following a run of four defeats in seven games.
The appointment of Pioli, an experienced coach but one who has never won a trophy in his 16-year managerial career, was a surprise one for the 18-time Serie A champions, who won their last league title in 2011.
"It's a choice that has been weighed up," Milan technical director Paolo Maldini told a press conference in the city.
"Being the seventh round it can be seen as a gamble, but we want to be protagonists this season.
"This is why we decided to change with an experienced coach. For a young team we wanted a coach with strong ideas."
"The fans have the right to criticise, but for me this is a further stimulus to make my work even better."
"I have to get these ideas to the players as soon as possible. Our ambition is to fight for the Champions League."
- Eighth coach in five years -
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