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John Elkann: Juventus is not the problem, but part of the solution
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John Elkann, the chairman of Exor and a prominent figure in the Juventus hierarchy, shared his insights on the current state of the club and its role in Italian football, in his recent interview with La Repubblica.
Elkann staunchly defended Juventus against criticism, emphasizing that the club is not the problem but an integral part of the solution. He highlighted the club’s historical significance and its contributions to the success of the Italian national team.
Elkann stated, “There are those who believe that Juventus is the problem in Italian football. On the contrary, it is a crucial part of the solution. It has always been the backbone, providing structure to the national teams that have won World Cup titles.”
Addressing the economic aspect, Elkann underscored Juventus’ significant financial contributions to Italian football.
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He stated, “Moreover, on the economic front, Juventus has invested half a billion euros in recent years to acquire players in Italy, significantly bolstering the budgets of Serie A and lower league teams.”
Elkann also discussed the upcoming centenary celebrations of Juventus, emphasizing the club’s forward-looking approach.
He quoted his grandfather, saying, “As my grandfather used to say, Juventus means youth. Youth signifies being projected towards the future. While its past is rich in glory, it is the future that demands our attention. We work humbly for ourselves and the millions of Bianconeri families like ours.”
Regarding the current challenges faced by Juventus, Elkann expressed unwavering confidence in the club’s ability to overcome them. He drew parallels with past difficult moments, such as the 1980 match-fixing scandal involving Paolo Rossi.
Elkann recalled how Juventus signed Rossi despite his suspension, and under the guidance of coach Trapattoni, they went on to win the twentieth league title. Elkann stated, “This is not the first time we have faced adversity… His victory was also ours and silenced all the controversies.”
Elkann also commented on the recent appointment of Cristiano Giuntoli as the new sporting director, highlighting his significance to the club.
He said, “The most significant move we have made thus far is the arrival of Cristiano Giuntoli in Turin as the new sporting director. He represents adaptation and innovation, in perfect continuity with our history. Giuntoli will bring to Juventus a working approach that values young talents and builds champions.”
Furthermore, Elkann addressed the issue of the Super League and its impact on European football. He stated, “Other national leagues are displaying an evident drift… How do we respond to this challenge? That is the question. It is not a question that concerns Juve alone. It is a problem that affects the entirety of European football.”