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 our intention is to continue working together for the long term. Tudor paid the price solely because of the results”

A shared decision, one that took shape the morning after the loss at 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 soccer: we had to send a message in light of results that were unacceptable to us. We all agreed, and in a short time we did what we had to do…” Spalletti and Juve, for now, represent 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 discuss the future: the idea,” Comolli continues, “is to continue working together for the long term—we’ll see. Have we talked about the transfer market? We have Financial Fair Play restrictions to adhere to, 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 signings. “No, I’m not: we’re talking about talented young players, and it takes a little time, just like with everything in life,” says the former executive, who also served at Toulouse, among other clubs. The new Juventus 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 was judged solely on his results…”