Italy great Gentile to coach Swiss club Sion

Sion has a reputation for firing coaches with few, including Italian 2006 World Cup winner Gennaro Gattuso (pictured), lasting more than a few months. (Luca Bruno/AP)

SION, Switzerland — World Cup-winning former Italy defender Claudio Gentile is to become the new coach of Swiss club Sion.

Sion says on its website that Gentile has agreed on a two-year contract and takes charge next week.

Gentile had the reputation as one of the world’s toughest defenders when helping Italy win the 1982 World Cup.

He won six Serie A titles with Juventus during 1974-84.

As a coach, Gentile led Italy to win the Under-21 European Championship in 2004.

Sion has a reputation for firing coaches with few, including Italian 2006 World Cup winner Gennaro Gattuso, lasting more than a few months.

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