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

Juventus, Comolli’s words

JUVENTUS FANS (PHOTO BY SALVATORE FORNELLI)

The following are the statements made by the new general manager of Juventus Damien Comolli at the press conference presenting with the Bianconeri club where CEO Scannavino also spoke:

Maurizio Scanavino speaks:

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

Damien Comolli starts the press conference:

“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 role model. I have always admired this club and I remember coming to the 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 reaffirm 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 at UEFA and Chiellini will take care of that. His brother’s role will also be crucial. Giorgio and I will move from football to commercial and we are collaborating very well together. Chiellini will not deal with transfers. I would like to hire two people: a sporting director for transfers and youth development, and then a technical director. We have discussed a lot with the club and we think this could be the best structure for us.

I am clear in my mind about who could be the right person for this role. 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, because 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 like 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 can’t wait to meet everyone. I think I have an idea of what this company can offer. 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. At Juventus, to move forward, 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 convey this passion throughout the club. Regarding the structure, I think I have already told you many things, especially about the dual role: sporting 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?

“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 for him this season. I need to talk to the player and understand. He is a top player and we also need to understand his intentions contractually. Once I understand all these things, I will be able to decide.”

Will you complete the team before the 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 right away or maybe in September. We hope to find them 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 turns to 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 gut feeling, 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 are part of my life and I know how they work. The English leagues are all data-driven and we will put it into practice.”

Should the youth teams model the first team? How much of the Moneyball model is in you?

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

Moneyball model? I don’t know if it has been romanticized or a press story. 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 talked to him. I wanted to understand how to have a different approach to recruitment, and his model was very helpful. Sometimes you can make assessments where the market is undervalued or vice versa. We try to use this scientific approach that is working.

It’s not a bad word. There are many clubs that use data and don’t want to say it. This is a bit of 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 myself two goals: to win and improve the club. I have always worked to improve football in every country where I have worked. 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 an important 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 certainly make adjustments, but we will not make radical changes.”