Pirlo lauds Conte as 'one of the best'

Posted Thursday, March 21, 2013 by YAHOO Sport

Andrea Pirlo has lavished praise on Juventus coach Antonio Conte, believing the 43-year-old to be one of the best trainers around in the game.

Conte guided the Bianconeri to their first title since 2002-03 in his first year at the club last term, and they again sit comfortably atop of the Serie A table and have qualified for the quarterfinals of the Champions League this season, too.

"He [Conte] is one of the best coaches around. He’s coaching in the Champions League for the first time and is already proving his worth," Pirlo told reporters.

Conte suggested at the weekend he could leave Italy in the near future after Juventus received a hostile welcome by the Bologna fans ahead of Saturday's Serie A game.

However, he made it clear on Wednesday he has no intention in leaving the Old Lady any time soon as he wants to win more silverware with Juve, much to the delight of Pirlo.

"We hope he stays on because it would mean that we’d won again," the midfielder added. "Winning annoys certain people, but it’s obviously not nice being greeted by insults, rocks and canes when you arrive at a stadium. Unfortunately, you have to get used to it."

Juventus currently holds a nine-point lead over second-placed Napoli in Serie A.