Giovanni Cobolli Gigli, former Juventus president, spoke on “1 Football Club,” a radio program hosted by Luca Cerchione on 1 Station Radio. Below is an excerpt from the interview.
Does the defeat against Parma reduce Juventus` chances of reaching the Champions League?
“Certainly, the probabilities decrease, also because the other teams are competitive. The fourth place spot is essentially a fight between three or four teams, and this match against Parma should have been one of those to win to be more comfortable. It`s right to look ahead, but it`s not easy to explain the lack of grit that was noticeable yesterday. I understand a draw, I even understand a defeat, but it really seems like the real grit was missing.”
In your opinion, in the end, is Igor Tudor just a caretaker coach or will he be Juventus` coach next season as well?
“I like Tudor`s approach, also because he has a Juventus past that he himself proudly remembers. However, it is clear that if Juventus does not finish in the top four, it is possible, even probable, that the club will think about entrusting the role to someone else. Failing to qualify would also mean an internal revolution, with a general downsizing and significant economic problems.”
He could be the key to everything, because the uncertainty surrounding Gian Piero Gasperini hangs over Atalanta. Could he be a name for Juventus?
“Gasperini is one of the best Italian coaches, sometimes even the very best. He knows football well, he knows Turin well because he grew up football-wise at Juventus. He has all the qualities to coach a big team, although he has some personality issues: sometimes he lets himself go with strong statements. But perhaps for him, the time has come to test himself with a club of a higher level than Atalanta. And mind you, I don`t want to belittle Atalanta: when they win matches, they do so even internationally.”
Today there is a new trend in Italian football: that of consultants. Mancini at Sampdoria, Ranieri – who will become one at Roma – Ibrahimovic at Milan. But what role do these figures ultimately have? What are the differences compared to a sporting or general director?
“I would say none, except to strengthen the club`s structure. Ranieri, for example, went to Roma as a pro tempore coach, not a consultant, because that`s what he wanted. And the results are visible. They are prepared people who have achieved a certain professional satisfaction and perhaps also want to experience less stressful football. They can offer a serious contribution within a club. Mancini, in Sampdoria`s case, I believe plays this role more out of love for the team, in memory of himself and Vialli, rather than for economic reasons.”
Has De Laurentiis been impeccable, at least in terms of communication? We have seen a rather calm De Laurentiis, who acted as a `firefighter` regarding some statements by coach Antonio Conte.
“Frankly, Conte went a bit beyond the limits. And De Laurentiis restrained himself, doing his job as president well. He doesn`t fuel controversy and lets Conte have his say. Meanwhile, he watches the results. Compared to a week ago, Napoli`s chances of winning the Scudetto have increased significantly. So, De Laurentiis is satisfied with Conte`s work, he doesn`t intervene and lets things happen.”
Different communication styles: Conte is direct, controversial; De Laurentiis is more moderate. Five matchdays from the end, Napoli is first in the standings: which of the two styles is better for the group?
“Perhaps together they work well. Conte says what he thinks forcefully, while De Laurentiis doesn`t publicly contradict him. This balance avoids an escalation of statements. De Laurentiis respects Conte and lets him work.”
In the end, will Conte stay at Napoli?
“If he wins the Scudetto, I would say yes. Then, everything will also depend on contracts and projects. Conte has a three-year contract, but it could be terminated at his will. If he stays, he will certainly ask the club to invest to have a good Champions League campaign, so, in fact, the club would have to convince him to stay.”