The general manager and incoming CEO of Juventus spoke at a press conference during the new coach’s presentation: “Luciano’s contract is for eight months, but the intention is to continue working together long-term. Tudor paid the price solely because of the results”

A shared choice, a decision that took shape the morning after the home loss to Lazio: Damien Comolli, Juventus’ general manager and the club’s incoming CEO, explains the shift toward Spalletti on the day of the new coach’s presentation. “We know his track record; Luciano (Spalletti, ed.) has always produced attractive football: we had to send a message in the face of results that couldn’t satisfy us. We all agreed, and in a short time we did what we had to do…”. Spalletti and Juve, for now, is the story of a brief partnership: an eight-month contract. But on the horizon lies a project to be fleshed out. “We’ll sit down together as we go along and think about the future: the idea,” Comolli continues, “is to continue together for the long term; we’ll see. Have we talked about the transfer market? We have Financial Fair Play restrictions to respect, and the coach knows that; if opportunities arise, we’ll be ready…” Juventus’s next CEO—to be appointed next Thursday during the club’s Shareholders’ Meeting—doesn’t seem concerned about the performance of the new arrivals. “No, I’m not: we’re talking about talented players, and it takes a little time, as with everything in life,” says the former executive, who previously worked for Toulouse, among other clubs. The new Juve can embark on a journey that must put the team back in the spotlight and restore the momentum needed to fuel the ambitions set at the start of the season. “Spalletti is the right man. Did we have him in mind back in June when I took over? No, at the time we were only thinking about renewing Tudor’s contract, and Tudor paid the price for his results…”