Massimiliano Canzi has been appointed as the new Director of the Youth Sector at Cagliari Calcio, the club announced. The 59-year-old returns to Sardinia after previously managing their Primavera youth team and serving as an assistant coach for the first team. Canzi joins Cagliari after a successful two-year spell with Juventus Women, where he won a league title, a Supercoppa Italiana, a Coppa Italia, and a Serie A Women’s Cup.
Canzi’s departure from Juventus Women came in early June 2026, following the conclusion of the 2025/26 season. He initially took charge of the Juventus Women’s team in the summer of 2024, quickly establishing himself as a successful manager in the women’s game. His achievements were recognized with the Panchina d’Oro award for the 2024-25 Serie A Women’s season, acknowledging him as the league’s best coach.
The Cagliari-based club confirmed that Canzi has signed a five-year contract, committing his future to the Rossoblù until June 30, 2031. The club statement highlighted Canzi’s extensive experience and values, emphasizing his focus on developing young players within the club’s academy, including the Under 20s and the women’s team. He previously worked with Cagliari’s youth setup in 2015, serving as Primavera coach with Alessandro Beretta as the youth sector director.
Prior to his time at Juventus Women, Canzi also served as an assistant coach to Walter Zenga at Cagliari during the 2019/20 Serie A season. This appointment marks a shift for Canzi from managing a professional women’s team to overseeing the development of young talent within a club’s academy. His return to Cagliari signals the club’s commitment to investing in its youth system and building a sustainable future.
