Sampdoria coach Andrea Pirlo has hit out at his critics.

In his first season in charge, Pirlo has Samp sitting eighth in Serie B.

“It's normal, if you win, you're good, if you lose, you're not," snapped Pirlo. "There are 60 million coaches in Italy, but not everyone can do it.

“It's easy to talk when you're at the stadium or watching the match in front of the TV, it's another thing to be here working every day.

“Criticism has never bothered me, I continue to work with my head held high."