Cristiano Giuntoli's first press conference as Football Director of Juventus took place at the Allinz Stadium on Tuesday afternoon, giving him an opportunity to talk about his new role at the club. Giuntoli started off by saying, "A special thanks to Napoli: to the club, to the city, to the directors and to all the staff who gave me a great opportunity eight years ago", before going to talk about everything Bianconero.
"I am very happy, I received an extraordinary welcome and found great quality in all sectors here, an exceptional environment that welcomed me in an incredible way." Cristiano Giuntoli
AT JUVE'S SERVICE
"From the outside, I've never thought about the "problems" here: I'm not used to doing that. The Club has asked me to help them go back to being competitive and sustainable, and for me the only thing that matters is what will happen from here on out. My story is clear: I spent six years in one club and eight in another. I will try bring my experience to this extraordinary club. My arrival is not an event, but part of a journey; I am part of a group of great managers who are designing the new course of this club."
SUSTAINABILITY AND COMPETITIVENESS
"The Club moved very well in the transfer market even before my arrival, renewing Arek Milik, confirming Adrien Rabiot and bringing in Timothy Weah. The priorities now are to rationalise the squad; the young players are very important, but the balance must be found between sustainability and competitiveness.mixing both talent and experience. We will not make moves “alla Giuntoli”, “alla Allegri” or “alla Manna”, but in the Juventus way. With Giovanni Manna we are exploring market opportunities, but focusing very strongly on our players. We are convinced that we have a competitive team and a high-level strikeforce. Becoming virtuous will initially be an obstacle, but then it will become a resource and bring great benefits; we must therefore continue the work that is being done, with patience, triggering a virtuous mechanism, rationalising the squad."
THE SQUAD
“Weston McKennie out of the plan? We have never said that. We have players who are on the market and are working separately, we are working to find a club for Arthur, Denis Zakaria and Leonardo Bonucci. Paul Pogba is returning from a difficult year, and we are waiting for him; he has great desire and experience, and he will be fundamental for us. Dusan Vlahovic and Federico Chiesa? At this moment they are non-transferable, but if big offers arrive, we'll re-evaluate."
ALLEGRI
"I like being close to the coach and the boys, even in the game, you notice the details and nuances. I talk to the Coach every day, he hasn't "asked" me for any players, he believes a lot in the project linked to youngsters, and in continuing to grow with them; he is convinced that this team has great room for improvement. Why Massimiliano Allegri? Because talent, mentality and discipline count in football and he is the most talented of all. Last year was extraordinarily difficult, a person of his level and caliber was the ideal leader: he launched young talents and finished third on the pitch, seeing an important year. We are convinced he is the right person."
OBJECTIVES
"Juve must not set minimum objectives, but do its maximum, and our duty is to put the club in a position to do so."