From 2021 to today, Elkann’s Juventus has burned managers, projects, coaches and money without winning (almost) anything. And betraying the DNA of a company that has always been synonymous with stability
Once upon a time Juventus was granite and planted in its roots. Solid and unbreakable, almost always successful and never resigned to mediocrity. A long red thread stretched across periods as long as geological (football) eras. Once upon a time there was that Juventus and now it’s no longer there. It has become a sort of hotel with constantly moving revolving doorssynonymous with improvisation and the antechamber of defeats.
The coaches’ ballet – Spalletti will be number 6 for the last 52 months – is only the most visible but not the most worrying symptom of the disease that has hit the Juventus world. Tudor was kicked out for his indisputable sins, just as it had happened to those before. But the Croatian coach, like those who preceded him, is not the only one responsible for the disaster.
Juventus, alternation of managers and coaches from 2021 to today
John Elkann’s Juventus, grafted onto the last period of Andrea Agnelli’s, resembles a company exposed to the winds of frequent and excessive changes. In quick summary: from 1 July 2021, appointment of Maurizio Arrivabene as CEO to put things right that didn’t add up, to next 7 November (date of the meeting that will sanction the promotion of Damien Comolli to company head), Juventus has alternated 2 presidents, 3 CEOs, 4 sports directors or football directors or whatever you want to call them and – precisely – 6 coaches including the ferrymen Montero and Brambilla.
A rollercoaster that makes you dizzy and, in fact, John Elkann’s Juventus has completely lost the right path of competitiveness in this historical period. The ballet of names, roles, delegations and promotions has left a legacy of the misery of a Coppa Italia cup signed by Allegri in May 2024, that of the explosion of anger against Giuntoli and the dismissal for just cause. In the championship there were only frantic chases to qualify for the Champions League, with third and fourth places just above 70 points. In Europe, nothing better than a round of 16 finish in the Champions League (2021-2022 season) and the semi-final of the Europa League in 2023, as a consequence of a humiliating first phase in the biggest cup. End of games.
Elkann, all the money invested (and burned) in Juventus
There is a clear management problem at the club and since the only thing in common over the last 52 months is the ownership and the figure of Elkann, that is where it is worth focusing the spotlight. If there is one thing that Juventus has never lacked, it has been the financial contribution of the owner: one billion euros invested in the last eight years. Given the results, however, this is an aggravating circumstance and not an exemption.
Elkann’s Juventus has burned a huge amount of money to always return to square one. Saying that it was all the effect of the latest choices of the Agnelli presidency may be convenient, but it doesn’t help to hit the point which is the lack of stability and planning of a society perpetually condemned to live in year zero. The summary of the numbers leaves no way out: In the 52 months of the revolving doors, Juventus spent over 700 million euros in bankruptcy markets (no one else has been able to afford this luxury in Italian football) and has accumulated losses of 621. Now we start with a new round of the merry-go-round and the Juventus fans are keeping their fingers crossed that it will be the last one, at least for a while.
