Milan: Sampdoria coach Vincenzo Montella was on Tuesday appointed as the new coach of AC Milan on a two-year contract, the Serie A side announced.

The 42-year-old Italian succeeds Cristian Brocchi, who has fulfilled the role as caretaker boss since Sinisa Mihajlovic was sacked in April.

Milan finished last season in seventh, missing out on a place in Europe. “The club is convinced that the brilliant system of play of the new rossoneri coach will be the basis of a fruitful and positive partnership,” the club declared in a statement. After a 1-0 Italian Cup final loss to Juventus in May Brocchi had conceded his job was on the line.