During Luciano Spalletti’s unveiling as Juventus’s new head coach, club general manager Damien Comolli also addressed the media, offering insight into the decision-making process behind the appointment and the club’s direction for the remainder of the season.
Taking the stage at the Allianz Stadium, Comolli greeted reporters with a touch of humour. “My Italian hasn’t improved much, I apologise,” he began. “Welcome to the press conference introducing our new coach, Luciano Spalletti. We are delighted to announce him for several reasons — he is an outstanding expert in Italian football, with a career that proves his ability to achieve success at every level, from small clubs to major titles. All of this defines Luciano as the right person to lead Juventus football forward.”
Strategic Appointment and Contract Details
Comolli confirmed that Spalletti has signed a contract until the end of the season, with an option to extend. “We’ve agreed a deal running until June, with the possibility of continuing. It’s a mutual understanding — if both parties wish to go on, we’ll do so. In our vision, this could well be a long-term relationship.”
Explaining how the process unfolded, he detailed the close collaboration within the Juventus management team. “We chose Spalletti because of his football identity and philosophy. Both are aligned with what Juventus stands for. The decision was made collectively by myself, Giorgio Chiellini, and Modesto, in full consultation with ownership. We all felt the team needed new leadership, and from the first discussion it was clear that Spalletti was the perfect candidate. There hasn’t been a single centimetre of disagreement among us.”
Sporting Director Search and Transfer Market Outlook
Regarding the position of sporting director, Comolli revealed, “The search is ongoing. We already have a shortlist, but the process continues — we’re evaluating carefully.”
On transfer matters, he explained that no major market activity is planned for now. “We spoke with Luciano on Monday about this,” Comolli said. “There’s no particular plan to reopen the market, though if opportunities arise, we’ll assess them. I’m relaxed about the current squad — we have confidence in our players and in the recent signings. Some may take time to settle, which is normal. We’ll review things in 12 to 18 months to evaluate how successful these acquisitions have been.”
With a smile, he added, “I used to lose sleep over the team’s performances, but now that we have Spalletti, I sleep well again.”
The Timeline: A Swift and Decisive Process
Comolli dismissed the idea that Spalletti had been under consideration as early as the summer. “No, not at all. When I started in June, it was clear that Tudor was our coach — in fact, we even extended his contract at that time. The decision to make a change only came on Sunday night. That was when the three of us — myself, Chiellini, and Modesto — decided to contact Luciano for the first time. We met the next day over lunch, finalised details across Monday and Tuesday, and by Thursday morning the contract was signed. It was a very smooth process, all done within three days.”
Collaboration at the Core
When asked about Spalletti’s contract option, Comolli clarified, “Yes, there’s an option for one additional season, 2026–27. But as I said, it’s not just a clause on paper — it’s built on collaboration. The spirit of working together is what matters most.”
As Juventus turn a new page under Spalletti, Comolli’s words reinforced a shared belief within the club — that unity, clear purpose, and mutual respect will be the cornerstones of this new chapter in Turin.
