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The new general manager of Juventus Damien Comolli has released statements during the press conference presenting the bianconeri club

Juventus, Comolli’s words

JUVENTUS FANS ( PHOTO BY SALVATORE FORNELLI )

Below are the statements released by the new general manager of Juventus Damien Comolli during the press conference introducing the bianconeri club where CEO Scanavino also spoke:

Maurizio Scanavino speaks: 

“Today is the presentation day of Damien Comolli who joins us as the general manager. This season we have made significant progress in terms of sustainability despite the premature exits in the Champions League and the Coppa Italia. Welcome to all once again”.

Damien Comolli’s press conference begins:

“Unfortunately, I cannot speak Italian, but I understand it well. It is a privilege for me to be the general manager of Juventus. I grew up watching this club, especially for the great players and the consistently winning organization. Juventus has always been a model. I have always admired this club and I remember coming to Delle Alpi as a scout.

I have greatly appreciated the culture of Juventus. I want to confirm that Tudor will be our coach for the next season. I have already clarified this with him and we are working together. We are a great club and there are many speculations, but I want to reiterate that Tudor will remain our coach. I also want to talk about Chiellini’s role. He will also be the technical director and we will work closely together from both a footballing and commercial perspective. I could talk about Giorgio’s role for five minutes.

We were part of the same committee in UEFA and this will be solely Chiellini’s responsibility. The role of his brother will also be crucial. Giorgio and I will transition from football to commercial matters and we are collaborating very well together. Chiellini will not be involved in the transfer market. I would like to hire two people: a sports director for transfers with a focus on our youth teams. Then a technical director. We have discussed a lot with the club and we believe this could be the best structure for us.

I am clear in my mind about who could be the right person for these roles. It is a process, but we do not want to make hasty decisions. We want to take our time for these two positions. The fourth point I want to announce is that we have reached an agreement with PSG for Kolo Muani who will play the Club World Cup with us. We have not reached an agreement for the next season, but I am optimistic that we can, as PSG has not closed the door and Kolo Muani wants to stay with us.

Then I would like to congratulate Juventus Women for the splendid season and the results achieved. I have a great passion for women’s football. I am now ready for questions”.

Your emotions in these days?

“I have experienced great enthusiasm. When I was a child, my idol was Platini. I always dreamed of becoming a coach and I admire Trapattoni. I cannot tell you that I have always been a Juventus fan, but I have always followed this club.

The team is coming back in full force and I look forward to meeting everyone. I think I have an idea of what this company can deliver. There is not only a team on the field, but also those behind the scenes. We must go to the Club World Cup to do everything possible to win”.

What convinced you about Tudor?

“When he was at Marseille, he beat us twice. We even laughed about it. The intensity and physical and mental endurance that his Marseille team showed impressed me. He did an exceptional job at Marseille”.

Your priorities?

“The first time I met the club, they asked me what I wanted to achieve. I want to do everything possible to win. To move forward at Juventus, you have to try to win trophies. Then, in football, there are unforeseen events and we cannot control everything.

But what we can control, we must do it 100%. My obsession will be to win and I want to transmit this passion throughout the club. Regarding the structure, I think I have already told you many things, especially about the dual role: sports director and technical director. Many clubs are implementing this structure because football is becoming increasingly complex”.

Is Vlahovic leaving? Have you thought about a replacement for him?

“I have spoken with Dusan and I want to understand what he wants to do. He is a top player and something did not work this season. I need to talk to the player and understand. He is a top player and we also need to understand his contractual intentions. Once I understand all these things, I will be able to decide”.

Will you complete the team before the Club World Cup? About Pecini?

“We have a great relationship and we are friends, but he will not be part of our team. The two roles we are looking for are high profile and if we find someone available, we could do it immediately or maybe in September. We hope to find someone before the end of the market, but it is a process and we cannot make hasty decisions”.

About your methods?

“I have been working with data for 25 years. When a club approaches me, they expect me to bring this experience with data. I am in a position to use it. We are paid to provide emotions. Our fans must have the highest level of emotions. However, we must not make decisions based on instincts, but we must be rational. Everyone now analyzes data.

We will use data and they will help us measure the strength of our team in Europe. The data will help us in our strategy, and they can also help us prevent injuries. Data is part of my life and I know how it works. The English leagues are all data-driven and we will implement it”.

Should the youth teams model themselves after the first team? How much of the Moneyball model do you embody?

“I have always wanted to create a culture in the first team and in the women’s team. Identity is important. We create emotions, but within all this, there are identities and feelings. This comes through victories, the game, and the methodology. This is difficult but not impossible. The Ajax model is not among my favorites, but we want to implement our own methodology in the medium to long term.

Moneyball model? I don’t know if it has been romanticized or a story of the press. I know what we have done. We have made a rational model out of an irrational one. We try to be rational and create emotions. The moneyball gentleman is a friend of mine and I have spoken with him. I wanted to understand how to have a different approach to recruitment, and his model has been very useful. Sometimes you can make evaluations where the market is undervalued or vice versa. We try to use this scientific approach that is working.

This is not a bad word. There are many clubs that use data and do not want to say it. This is somewhat my characteristic. My obsession is to want to win, but I want to create a culture and improve every day. To gain an advantage, we can use data both financially and on the field”.

Your perception of the football system in Italy?

“When I entered this club, I set two goals for myself: to win and to improve the club. I have always worked to improve football in every country I have worked in. My first goal is to make Juventus win, but I also want to help Italian football.

Because if Juventus does well, it can help all of Italian football. Juventus has always made a significant contribution to Italian football. I cannot say how to do it and I cannot teach you anything, but it would certainly be a shame if Italy did not qualify for the World Cup. I want to help Italian football through Juventus”.

What does Juventus need to win?

You will see my face often this season. I tend to be more reserved in the market. We have spoken with Tudor, Chiellini, and Scanavino. We have an idea of how to change the squad. We will definitely make adjustments, but we will not make radical changes”.