|
Lazio have rewarded their coach Stefano Pioli for a successful first season in charge by extending his contract by a year until 2017. Pioli guided the Biancocelesti to a third-place finish in Serie A and a berth in the Champions League playoffs in August. Last season, the Aquile finished ninth and they were not being considered by many as candidates for a place in Europe next season. "Lazio announce that they have extended the contract of their coach Stefano Pioli until June 30, 2017," read a statement on the club's website. "Lazio will have the option to extend coach Pioli's contract further until June 30, 2018." The news was also relayed via Twitter with the hashtag "the first club in the capital." 2014-15 was Pioli's most successful season as a coach having spent most of his career with clubs figuring in the bottom half of Serie A, or in Serie B. Indeed, eyebrows were raised when he was named as Lazio's new coach last summer having been dismissed by relegated Bologna after two largely unsuccessful seasons there. He previously had spells with Parma, Chievo and Palermo in Serie A, the latter sacking him after less than three months in 2011 before he took charge at Bologna. In addition to guiding Lazio to third, Pioli also led them to the final of the Coppa Italia, which they lost to Juventus at the Stadio Olimpico. The two sides will meet again for the Italian Supercoppa in China on August 8.
|
