Pirlo and other former players get coaching badges

FLORENCE, Italy (AP) — Andrea Pirlo is one step closer on the road to football management.
The 39-year-old Pirlo was among several ex-players who obtained their UEFA A coaching badges on Thursday after completing a course at the Italian football federation’s training complex in Coverciano.
Former Italy forward Alberto Gilardino, who lifted the World Cup alongside Pirlo in 2006, also completed the FIGC Settore Tecnico course with other ex-Serie A footballers, including Gabriel Batistu