Stefano Pioli’s time at AC Milan came to an end this summer and today the former head coach has explained why he chose to move away from Italy.

Looking back on last season, Pioli was effectively under pressure all season, with the 5-1 defeat to Inter defining the season as a whole. However, the derby was just one of many humiliations Milan suffered last season.

We can consider elimination from the Europa League as a good starting point, while also looking at the inability to steady the ship after losing the derby. However, it can be argued that these problems ran deeper than Pioli.

Yet it was the right time to move on from the Italian head coach, and although fans feel the Rossoneri have taken a step aside rather than a step forward, management believes their decision was the right one – despite recent events have been addressed.

Today, Pioli expressed his decision to leave Italy following his sacking, and his words to SportItalia were relayed by Milan Press.

“I was very happy when Al-Nassr contacted me, they sought me out knowing that I wanted to start a new experience compared to 20 as a coach in Italy. Al-Nassr is an important and ambitious club. When I spoke to management, I felt confidence and a desire to grow, a desire to improve. I accepted it very happily, with enthusiasm and the desire to do well.”