Juventus Part Ways with Sporting Director Cristiano Giuntoli

Juventus Football Club has ended the contract of sporting director Cristiano Giuntoli. This ends a partnership that was supposed to last five years.

WHAT HAPPENED?

On June 3, Juventus said they had “mutually agreed to the termination of his employment contract” with Giuntoli. The statement mentioned that the decision was “based on a joint assessment of future perspectives and mutual priorities.” Giuntoli’s time with the Bianconeri has ended after just two seasons, even though he had three years left on his contract.

THE BIGGER PICTURE

Giuntoli joined Juventus at the beginning of the 2023/2024 season after a successful time at Napoli where he built a winning team. However, during his two seasons in Turin, the club did not make much progress. Giuntoli was in charge of big tasks like hiring managers and signing players. But when head coach Thiago Motta was dismissed, it showed a lack of trust in Giuntoli’s plans. This led to his departure.

Juventus is currently fourth in Serie A with 58 points, 12 points behind the leaders Inter Milan, with only five games left. The team has struggled with consistency all season. Despite spending a lot on new players, the performances have not met expectations.

THE FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS

Giuntoli’s departure is costly for Juventus. He had three years left on his contract with a yearly salary of 2 million euros. In theory, the club faced a payout of 6 million euros. However, reports say Juventus is working on a severance package of about 3 million euros. This would help with his exit and allow everyone to move on.

WHAT’S NEXT FOR JUVENTUS?

Juventus faces an important summer as they search for a new sporting director before the transfer window. With five games left in Serie A, Juventus needs to secure a spot in next season’s Champions League. They are only three points ahead of fifth-placed Atalanta, who have a game in hand.

The upcoming match against AC Milan on Sunday is crucial as the club tries to stabilize after this organizational change. Whoever takes Giuntoli’s place will have to find a new head coach and reshape a team that has not lived up to Juventus’ high standards and rich history.