Giorgio Chiellini, now Juventus’ Director of Football Strategy, recently gave a wide-ranging interview to Tuttosport (as quoted by ilbianconero) , opening up about his transition from pitch to boardroom, the club’s unique identity, and the ongoing transformation in Turin. In his trademark honest and passionate style, Chiellini shared insights into his new responsibilities, Juventus’ enduring culture, and the collaborative approach shaping the Bianconeri’s future.
“The First Scudetto Was Completely Unexpected”
Reflecting on his decorated playing career, Chiellini recalled his first league title, a moment etched in club history:
“The first of the nine scudetti – I mention that because it was so unexpected, with our hearts on a rollercoaster, like the draw against Lecce in the final matchdays, which seemed to have brought us to the edge of disaster. In 2011, so many pieces were coming together, from the stadium to the squad.”
“Cycles and Anti-Cycles – That’s What Sets Juve Apart”
Chiellini then delved into what distinguishes Juventus from other clubs:
“Juve’s history is made up of cycles and anti-cycles. Explaining why is tough, but the fact is, winning and fallow periods have always alternated regularly. I arrived at the end of the Capello era, then lived through the post-Calciopoli years, nine scudetti, and now this new anti-cycle. I’ve been in paradise and Hell—yet, if you look at Juve’s history, we have double the scudetti of those chasing us. It means others’ barren spells have been much longer. Perhaps that’s what sets us apart, alongside having a century-old ownership guaranteeing continuity. In a hundred years, it’s not just football that has changed—the world has changed. Yet Juve has always kept the same fundamental characteristics.”
“I’ve Discovered a New World”
On his fresh journey off the field, Chiellini explained:
“I joined the club last year, followed the institutional side, and discovered a whole new world beyond the pitch—like the League, Federation and international bodies such as ECA and UEFA. Understanding these scenarios is crucial for full preparation. Then there’s the internal dynamic: many people I’ve known for years, but working with them daily is different. I started that last year and will continue this year, delving into a part of Juventus that’s little known, but is the engine behind the rest of the club.”
“It’s Not Just One Person Making Decisions”
Chiellini clarified his involvement with Juventus’ sporting operations:
“When it comes to the pitch, I support the people there, as I did last year and will this year. It’s a process I don’t want to rush or skip, but I’m always available. As Damien (Comolli) explained, I don’t take part in transfer decisions, but there isn’t just one person in charge at Juventus. We are a group working together to find the best solutions. Not even during Andrea Agnelli’s time was it one sole figure at the helm—he delegated a lot, too. It will always be like that here.”
“Preparing the Groundwork for a New Winning Cycle”
On the efforts to return Juventus to winning ways, Chiellini was clear:
“We’re trying to build a foundation, because you can’t win again without a strong base. The idea is to provide solidity, so this group can grow and take on the challenge and honour of leading a new winning cycle.”
“Igor isn’t Just ‘Juve’ – But He’s Brought the Right Values”
Asked about Juventus manager Igor Tudor, Chiellini was full of praise:
“Igor has shown what Juventus means to him and has transmitted that to the players. But Igor isn’t just ‘Juve’—the values he’s instilled in recent months are clear to see. A fourth-place finish and a good Club World Cup campaign are testament to his work. The match against City was a blip due to fatigue, but we played honourably against Real Madrid and, with a bit of luck… Igor has brought a great work culture and a real desire to do well. The environment is positive. Of course, there are many steps and hurdles to turn that into winning, but we’re starting from important foundations.”
“The Club Will Be Complete in Autumn”
When asked about working with Damien Comolli, Juventus’ new general manager, Chiellini responded with good humour:
“A man of algorithms? Not really—it’s a bit of a caricature. He pays a lot of attention to data, he believes in numbers, but he’s not just about data and lacks no human touch. He’s still new to many of us, myself included! We first met at a UEFA meeting in March, sitting next to each other at dinner and chatting for ages—never imagining we’d end up working together. We had a laugh about that when he arrived in Turin.”
Turning to the ongoing restructuring at Juventus, Chiellini added:
“Comolli is someone who’s good to work with. The working structure should be completed in autumn: we’re getting on with things and, time will tell if we do it well or not, but there’s a strong willingness to make sacrifices to build that winning cycle we spoke about earlier.”
