Orlanco City added former midfielder Antonio Nocerino to its academy coaching staff, the club announced Friday, after the 34-year-old announced his retirment from decorated playing career on Thursday.
Nocerino spent time at Serie A powerhouses Juventus, Palermo and AC Milan during his career. He joined the Lions for the 2016 season and would go on to register 52 appearances in two seasons with the club before finishing his playing career back in Italy with Benevento.
A product of Juventus' youth academy, he has more than 400 professional appearances to his name.
“We are very happy and proud that Antonio has chosen Orlando City to start his coaching career," Orlando City academy director Marcelo Neveleff said in a statement. "Hopefully, we can help him to grow in the profession but, also, he will be great for our players because he will be able to transmit all of his knowledge as a player to help them develop. But, even though Antonio had a decorated playing career, we are also looking forward to helping him grow and learn as a coach so he can best help shape the next generation of players.”
Nocerino will join the development academy as the head coach for the Orlando City U-15 side, while serving as an assistant coach for the U-17s.
“I am a proud Italian but Orlando is my home. I am thankful for the opportunities Orlando City has given me, both as a player and now as a coach,” Nocerino said in a statement. “My idea is to grow step-by-step. I made the decision to become a coach, obtained by UEFA B license and am now working on my UEFA A. I want to work with the Orlando City Academy, get as much experience as I can with the objective in mind to grow, get more coaching licenses and one day be ready for the challenge of being a professional head coach. I am very excited for this new opportunity.”
