Sir Alex Ferguson is set to make a stunning return to the dugout next month at the age of 83, marking his first coaching appearance since 2019.
The legendary former Manchester United manager will take charge during Giuseppe Rossi's farewell match at Florence's Stadio Franchi Stadium on March 22.
The special event, dubbed 'Pepito Day', will see Ferguson back in a coaching role for the first time since overseeing Manchester United legends' reunion match against Bayern Munich in 2019.
The Scottish icon, who retired from management in 2013 after 26 glorious years at Old Trafford, has agreed to participate in the one-off occasion to honour his former player Rossi.
Sir Alex Ferguson is set to make a stunning return to the dugout next month at the age of 83, marking his first coaching appearance since 2019
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Rossi, who began his career at Manchester United under Ferguson, revealed the Scotsman's immediate willingness to participate in the farewell match.
"Ferguson will be there as a coach. He was my first coach, I signed when I was 17," said Rossi.
The Italian striker, now 38, made his senior debut under Ferguson in 2004, going on to score four goals in 14 appearances for United.
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Giuseppe Rossi played under Sir Alex Ferguson during his time at Man United
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"I only did three years with him and played little, but he immediately said yes and this shows what kind of person he is," Rossi added.
"I did little at United but he treats me like Cristiano Ronaldo, who has scored 1000 goals."
The farewell match will feature an impressive lineup of football legends taking to the pitch at the Stadio Franchi.
Former Serie A stars Luca Toni and Antonio Cassano have confirmed their participation in the special event.
Goalkeeper Sebastien Frey will also join the celebrations, alongside Borja Valero and Fiorentina icon Gabriel Batistuta.
The teams for the match have yet to be finalised, but will comprise former stars from throughout Rossi's career.
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The nickname 'Pepito Day' pays tribute to Rossi's Spanish spell, where he earned the moniker due to his successful time in LaLiga, drawing parallels with Paolo 'Pablito' Rossi of Italy's 1982 World Cup triumph.
Rossi enjoyed his most successful spell at Villarreal, where he netted an impressive 82 goals and provided 25 assists in 192 appearances.
The striker later moved to Fiorentina in 2013, scoring 19 goals in 42 games before loan spells at Levante and Celta in 2016.
Sir Alex Ferguson quit as Man United boss back in 2013 after guiding the club to 13 league titles
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This won't be Ferguson's first return to management since his 2013 retirement from Manchester United.
The Scotsman previously took charge of the United legends' 1999 reunion match against Bayern Munich at Old Trafford in 2019.
That occasion proved memorable as the home side secured a commanding 5-0 victory, with goals from David Beckham, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Dwight Yorke, Nicky Butt and Louis Saha.
