Latest news with #GiorgioChiellini
Forbes
4 days ago
- Business
- Forbes
What Do Juventus Expect From Former Liverpool Director Damien Comoli?
Damien Comolli celebrates victory in the French Cup final with Toulouse (Photo by Jean Catuffe/Getty ... More Images) After another disappointing season, Juventus have decided to make significant changes and have announced the appointment of Damien Comoli as the club's new General Manager from June 4. In a statement on their official website, the Bianconeri revealed that Comoli – set to report directly to the Chief Executive Officer Maurizio Scanavino – will be responsible for the Men's Football Area as well as the Marketing and Commercial Departments. The Turin-based side also revealed that former Captain Giorgio Chiellini will work for Comoli as the Director of Football Strategy, with a major part of his role being to ensure the 'values and spirit of Juventus' are upheld. 'We are delighted to welcome Damien and extend our best wishes for his journey with us,' said Maurizio Scanavino in the same statement. 'His expertise and professionalism will play a crucial role in Juventus' path to continued strength and growth.' Having spent the last five years serving as President of Toulouse, Comoli led the French club to promotion to Ligue 1 and their first ever triumph in the Coupe de France. Prior to that, he had spent a long career in various roles at some high profile clubs, starting with his appointment as a scout for Arsenal back in 1996. Responsible for identifying talent across Europe during Arsene Wenger's tenure, he has been credited with bringing players such as Kolo Toure and Gael Clichy to North London before moving on in 2004. The Frenchman then became Sporting Director at Saint-Étienne, departing after just 12 months to become the director of football at Tottenham. It was during his time with the club that they won their last trophy – the 2008 League Cup Final victory – before lifting this year's UEFA Europa League. Comoli brought players including Dimitar Berbatov, Luka Modric and Gareth Bale to Spurs, all three eventually moving on for large profits. Indeed, the latter pair are believed to have cost Tottenham roughly $38 million, but were later sold (separately) to Real Madrid later for a combined $177 million. Another spell at Saint-Étienne followed, before Comoli spent an eventful 18 months back in the Premier League with Liverpool. Spending over $170 million during the January 2011 transfer window, the director was guilty of bringing in expensive flops including Andy Carroll ($57 million) and Stewart Downing ($33 million). However, he was also responsible for the acquisition of Luis Suarez from Ajax for a fee of £22.8 million (£30.87 million) and long-time skipper Jordan Henderson for around £16 million ($21.66 million). Henderson would go on to make almost 500 appearances for the club and Captain them to UEFA Champions League glory in 2019 as well as their first top flight English title since 1990. Meanwhile, Suarez would win the 2013/14 Premier League Golden Boot and European Golden Shoe awards after scoring 31 league goals in 33 appearances, before moving to Barcelona for £64.98 million ($87.98 million). Those kinds of deals would be hugely attractive to Juve, delivering tangible success on the field as well as securing much-needed boosts to their ailing finances, with the recent qualification for next season's Champions League helping on both fronts. 'I am thrilled and privileged to join a Club distinguished by its history, identity and ambitious vision,' Comoli said after his appointment. 'From the very first day, I will dedicate my experience to Juventus with the ultimate goal of achieving victory — just as Juventus is meant to, and as our fans rightfully expect.' Supporters and club officials will expect just that, with Juve's decision to dismiss Cristiano Giuntoli coming as a direct result of his failure to deliver results. In less than two years at the helm, the former Napoli director replaced both Max Allegri and Thiago Motta as Coach while bringing in a number of high profile signings who did not live up to expectations. Finishing third and fourth in Serie A over the last two seasons was never going to satisfy Italian football's most successful club, especially while Giuntoli was also responsible for expensive flops like Teun Koopmeiners (signed for €54.7 million/$62.49) and Douglas Luiz (€50 million/$57.12 million). It is into that world that the new General Manager now steps. Damien Comoli has had success in the past, but he will need to deliver quickly both on and off the pitch at Juventus.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Juventus Sorting Out What to do With Their Bench
Juventus officially appointed Damien Comolli as their new general manager and promoted Giorgio Chiellini to director of football strategy on Sunday, while Cristiano Giuntoli's exit will be formalized in the coming days, and they can now decide whether to confirm Igor Tudor after missing out on Antonio Conte and Gian Piero Gasperini. The Croat will return to Turin on Monday to start preparing for the Club World Cup and meet with the new execs. The Bianconeri brass has been mulling over other coaches. Marco Silva, whom they were eyeing beforehand too, Stefano Pioli, and Roberto Mancini are on their shortlist, Gianluca Di Marzio informs. The present boss is gaining momentum. The hierarchy would go in another direction only if they could hire a clear upgrade. Advertisement According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Tudor has the backing of the ownership and the players. However, his fate will hinge on whether he'll hit it off with Comolli. His demands regarding the transfer market will play a role too. Plus, they'd have to discuss an extension eventually. Per Corriere dello Sport, the Old Lady is also considering Bruno Genesio and seeking a sporting director. The top options are former Milan and Rennes official Frederic Massara and ex-Lens exec Diego Lopez. The attempt for Gasperini wasn't too forceful. Moreover, Roma had been courting him for months. Our Take on Juventus and Tudor The timing of their front office overhaul was baffling and probably cost them Conte, while the former Atalanta boss was already too far gone in Roma's direction already. It'll be another transitional year. The former defender is perfectly suited for that. It's his job to lose unless he gets too radical with his requests to bolster the squad, which is what led to his departure from Lazio.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Damien Comolli is the new General Manager of Juventus
Juventus welcomes Damien Comolli, who will join the Club in the role of General Manager on 4 June 2025, reporting directly to the Chief Executive Officer Maurizio Scanavino. A leader with extensive international experience, Damien Comolli brings a strong background enriched with technical, managerial, and strategic competencies, built over more than thirty years at the highest levels of European football. He has held key roles at prestigious clubs such as Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur, Liverpool, Fenerbahce, and, most recently, Toulouse, where he led the club to the promotion to Ligue 1 and the victory in the Coupe de France. Advertisement Damien Comolli will be responsible for the Men's Football Area as well as the Marketing and Commercial Departments. Giorgio Chiellini, a legendary figure of the Club, will report to him in the role of Director of Football Strategy and will play a key role by embodying the values and spirit of Juventus. With this appointment, Juventus further strengthens its organisational structure, as part of the growth path that embraces new challenges with renewed determination and ambition. Maurizio Scanavino's words: 'We are delighted to welcome Damien and extend our best wishes for his journey with us. His expertise and professionalism will play a crucial role in Juventus' path to continued strength and growth.' Damien Comolli's words: 'I am thrilled and privileged to join a Club distinguished by its history, identity and ambitious vision. From the very first day, I will dedicate my experience to Juventus with the ultimate goal of achieving victory — just as Juventus is meant to, and as our fans rightfully expect.' Damien Comolli new General Manager
Yahoo
18-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Chiellini will push for Conte in new Juventus role
Chiellini will push for Conte in new Juventus role – report La Gazzetta dello Sport confirms Antonio Conte is Juventus' 'dream' coach for next season and his former player Giorgio Chiellini is expected to take a central role in negotiations. Chiellini returned to Juventus as the Head of Football Institutional Relations in September last year and is now ready to take a more prominent role in the club's management. Advertisement Juventus are expected to change the club's organisation, and Chiellini will be tasked with more responsibilities, although his new role at the club remains unclear. epa12092721 Napoli's head coach Antonio Conte during the Italian Serie A soccer match SSC Napoli vs CF Genoa at Diego Armando Maradona stadium in Naples, 11 May 2025. EPA-EFE/CESARE ABBATE As reported by Gazzetta, Chiellini will push to reunite with Conte at the Allianz Stadium after playing for several years under the Italian tactician for Juventus and the Italy national team. Multiple sources have already claimed that Conte is Juventus' primary option to replace Igor Tudor next year. The Croatian is currently under contract until the end of the season, including the Club World Cup. Conte, on the other hand, is contracted by Napoli to 2027, so the Bianconeri will have to hold talks with him and the Partenopei President Aurelio De Laurentiis to materialise a move. It is surely no easy feat considering the rivalry between the two clubs and the fact that Conte has helped the Azzurri bounce back after a poor 2023-24 campaign, making them title contenders this season.
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Juventus director resigns and heads for Aston Villa, Chiellini ready
Francesco Calvo, managing director of commercial and institutional relations at Juventus, has resigned from his role with two games of the 2024-25 season left to go and is reportedly close to joining Premier League outfit Aston Villa instead, with Giorgio Chiellini poised to take over some of his responsibilities in Turin. Juventus director Calvo resigns amidst Aston Villa links According to Tuesday's reports, Calvo has decided to resign from his position with Juventus. The Bianconeri director is not only in charge of the commercial side of the football club, but also sits on the board of the FIGC. Advertisement Tuttosport claims that if/when Calvo's departure is made official, Chiellini is likely to take on his responsibilities with the FIGC, although Juventus will still need to hire a permanent commercial director. Bianconeri directors at annual shareholders' meeting in November 2024 Monday's report suggests that Calvo's departure could also bring a restructuring of Juve's senior management team. Calvo's colleagues are set to meet in the coming days in order to organise the running of the club from a commercial perspective and to discuss potential replacements.
