Headline: Juventus CEO Emphasizes Italian Identity and Youth Development at Shareholders’ Meeting
Juventus CEO Giovanni Carnevali addressed shareholders at the club’s meeting held at the Allianz Stadium in Turin on Tuesday, November 3, emphasizing the need for a stronger Italian identity within the team and the importance of rediscovering enthusiasm and belonging.
In his speech, Carnevali outlined his vision for Juventus in the coming years, stating, “We need to rediscover our enthusiasm and sense of belonging. We’ll have to put in the effort, take things seriously, and have a strong desire to do things; we need clear ideas and to know where we want to go.” This meeting comes amid a season of ups and downs for Juventus, who currently sit seventh in the Serie A standings, six points shy of the top four.
Carnevali, who took over from Damien Comolli in June, acknowledged the need for revitalization within the club. “Over the last four months, I’ve studied Juventus. I love challenges and new things, which let me test myself in every area,” he explained.
He pointed to facilities like the Allianz Stadium and the J Medical as potential areas for improvement, stating that they have already attracted attention. “I know really well that results over the last few years have not been positive. You must be good at overcoming difficult moments, and we can only do it together,” he added.
The CEO highlighted the collaboration with Massara and Ottolini in creating a new scouting area that the club previously lacked. “It takes programming, consistency, competitiveness, and a global project. First team, NextGen, and youth sector. We need more Italian identity within our club, and we need to develop young players who can one day make it into the Juventus first team,” he said.
Juventus recently achieved a 2-0 victory against Napoli and is gearing up to face AZ Alkmaar in the Europa League on Thursday. Carnevali expressed the need for Juventus to set an example in terms of inclusion, respect for others, and environmental sustainability. “We need to stay close to young people, so we have the Creator Lab,” he stated.
He also reached out to the fans, urging them to continue their support during challenging times. “You have followed us in such great numbers, even abroad, and I have always admired you for that. That is why I told the players, ‘You must show respect for our fans,'” Carnevali noted.
However, he acknowledged the challenges posed by Financial Fair Play regulations, stating, “We don’t expect to achieve anything extraordinary overnight. We must comply with UEFA regulations. Rebuilding a great club takes time.” Juventus has collected 17 points in their first ten Serie A matches this season, with coach Luciano Spalletti under contract until June 2028.
