Marco Tardelli has launched a scathing attack on Juventus’ current leadership, accusing the club’s owners of lacking passion and direction. Speaking at the presentation of the documentary Juventus Primo Amore by Angelo Bozzolini, the former Juventus midfielder didn’t hold back in his assessment.
“Juventus is in the hands of the French who have done nothing but damage,” Tardelli said bluntly, expressing frustration at what he perceives as a decline in the club’s identity and values.
“Someone Who Loves Juventus Is Missing”
Reflecting on the differences between today’s Juventus and the one he played for in the 1970s and 80s, Tardelli lamented the absence of figures truly devoted to the club.
“What is missing today compared to then? Someone who loves Juventus,” he said. “The Lawyer (Gianni Agnelli) didn’t use Juve as a business, he liked being there, he liked being with the players. Now it’s all business and the owners don’t follow much.”
“I Miss Andrea Agnelli”
Tardelli even admitted to feeling nostalgic for former club president Andrea Agnelli, despite their differences.
“I never had a great relationship with Andrea Agnelli, but maybe I miss him because at least he loved Juve, he was on the pitch. He could make mistakes and had some peculiar attitudes, but he was there and you could talk to him. Now there’s no one left.”
“The French Have Made a Mess”
The World Cup winner’s criticism then turned sharply to the club’s current leadership, now under French influence through Exor and the Elkann family.
“Now there isn’t an Italian anymore, the French have come in and, despite having made a mess, they’re still there,” Tardelli declared. “I hope that Juve finds a new owner.”
Boniek Echoes Tardelli’s Words
Tardelli’s former teammate Zbigniew Boniek, who shared the stage at the event, added his own reflections on the changing nature of football.
“We lived in another era,” Boniek said. “There was no rivalry because there were eleven starters. But there is no future without the past. Once there were club icons, today football is different and you have to adapt. How would it end between that Juve and the one of today? 1–0 for us, because we’re seventy years old…”
