Former Juventus President, Giovanni Cobolli Gigli, analyzed the club`s recent events in an interview. Here are his thoughts:
Giorgio Chiellini in a more operational role: what do you think?
“I have profound respect for Chiellini, as a man and for what he was as a footballer. If he had a role with more responsibility, I would be happy about it.”
Are you still confident about the Champions League race? How much will this determine Juventus`s future?
“Confident, yes, with the soul of a fan. As an ordinary person, however, I realize the obstacles to overcome in these last two challenges, which are not simple. Udinese will be eager for redemption, Venezia, if still fighting to survive until the end as I think they will be, would defend themselves tooth and nail. There`s a need for awareness that requires great determination and, seeing the goals conceded in added time, great attention. But for me, Tudor is doing his best to provide effective play, but the players are not performing optimally, leaving aside any errors by Giuntoli.”
Speaking of this: there`s talk of Motta, Giuntoli, and Tudor, but should there also be more discussion about the players` responsibility?
“I agree. Tudor is doing everything he can, showing great willingness to create cohesion in a group that had lost it during the period of speculation involving Thiago Motta. I don`t want to be too harsh, but on the other hand, the fact that Motta failed in his mission is clear to everyone.”
Do you think Tudor will stay? And would you keep him?
“I seem to understand that he has a chance to stay if they finish fourth. Then we would need to figure out what to do, but before making hasty decisions, I would give him the opportunity to coach in the Club World Cup. Perhaps once the nightmare of having to reach fourth place is removed, the team`s play and quality could benefit. I would continue with Tudor before trying experiments that might not yield the desired results.”
In your opinion, is Giuntoli`s position also under discussion?
“That`s an important question. Certainly, Juventus has had internal organizational problems recently. The CEO should be more visible. Without taking anything away from the directors currently representing Juventus, in my opinion, the CEO or the President should attend League and Federation meetings. Not because those who have gone so far lack the quality to go, but because these are meetings between presidents and CEOs, and attending as equals also gains the correct authority. Without taking anything away from Calvo, who I see has decided to leave, and who did his job well, as did others. I also see how much responsibility Giuntoli has had regarding communication. For me, he should have been the figure in charge of transfers. Furthermore, I see that he has spent a lot, and the results have been much lower than expected.”
To return to greatness, does Juventus need signings like Osimhen and Tonali, less young and more established?
“I saw Inter-Barcelona, which the Nerazzurri deservedly won, but against a very young team that played well despite their average age. Juventus has sold many promising young players, I`ll name Soulé for example, but I could name others, and in my opinion, it was a mistake. Thinking about players who cost too much, like the ones you mentioned, seems inappropriate for the moment. Also because there`s still the issue of Vlahovic`s salary to resolve. Letting him go to sign Osimhen would not solve the financial problem. A sense of belonging is created by focusing on perhaps younger players, but who would put their heart and soul into making the team play well.”
Would signing Conte solve certain problems faster?
“Conte has shown his worth once again, not that he needed to. I am quite against returns. I have always liked Allegri, for example, but it would be wrong to bring him back too. Conte could do good things, but he would want the team structured in a certain way. I see he`s reportedly disappointed about not having enough quality at Napoli; I`m not sure if Juventus can afford the luxury of building the team exactly how he would want it.”