Andrea Pirlo has been appointed Sampdoria manager on a two-year deal.
The 44-year-old returns to Italy having spent the past season in charge of Fatih Karagumruk in Turkey’s top flight.
He was released from that role before the season finished and will take his first job back in his home country since being fired as Juventus head coach in May 2021.
Outgoing Leeds United owner Andrea Radrizzani’s takeover of Sampdoria is close to completion.
Sampdoria were relegated to Serie B last season with manager Dejan Stankovic leaving the club last month.
Last month, Radrizzani’s Aser Group, along with Gestio Capital, struck a deal with Sampdoria owner Massimo Ferrero to take over the financially troubled Genoa club.
The takeover is expected to be completed in September.
Pirlo’s first coaching role was with his former club Juventus, where he spent four seasons as player.
After his appointment in the summer of 2020, Pirlo won the Coppa Italia during the 2020-21 season but could only guide reigning champions Juventus to a fourth-place finish in Serie A.
They were also knocked out of the Champions League by Porto at the round-of-16 stage.
He departed Juventus having won 34 of his 52 matches.