Speaking at the Football Business Forum organised by SDA Bocconi in Milan (as quoted by Tuttosport), former Juventus and Ajax goalkeeper Edwin Van der Sar shared his thoughts on fellow Dutchman Teun Koopmeiners — and on broader themes at Juventus.
“I think he’s done a great job, first in the Netherlands and then after moving to Atalanta,” Van der Sar said. “The growth he’s shown has made him one of the strongest midfielders in Italy. Sometimes in football you just need a bit more time. I think the coaching changes at Juventus haven’t helped, or perhaps they’ve played a different system than he was used to. But overall, he’s been one of the best Dutch players in recent years and I hope he can make his mark again.”
Koopmeiners’ New Role
The changing role of Koopmeiners has been a major talking point in Italy — from tactical reshuffles to varied demands from different coaches. Now, under Luciano Spalletti, there seems to be a clear plan in place. From his first press conference, the Juventus coach from Certaldo appeared decisive about how to manage the versatile midfielder: start with solid defensive performances, earn applause — as seen at the Stadium during Juve’s recent clash with Sporting — and eventually restore him higher up the pitch.
Commenting on the tactical flexibility, Van der Sar added: “Today, what matters most is the position of the ball — how you can create triangles and build play. In the Netherlands, we often use a midfielder who drops between the two central defenders. It can be a way to add more quality to the system.”
On Spalletti’s Arrival
Van der Sar also reflected on Spalletti’s appointment to the Juventus bench: “It’s not only important for a single player. I think Juventus need to find the right coach to help the club grow. Stability is vital, because constant change doesn’t allow development — I’ve experienced that myself. Spalletti has already shown his quality in the past, so he deserves a chance. The hope is that the club can return to where it belongs.”
A Connection with Agnelli and the Club’s Identity
Time has passed since Van der Sar guarded the Juventus goal, yet his view of the club’s identity remains consistent with that of many former players. “I played there 25 years ago and a lot has changed. I had a good relationship with Andrea Agnelli. Now, I occasionally speak with Chiellini in his director role about organisational matters. I don’t know all the current players, but Juventus must always be strong and compete for titles.”
Del Piero’s Potential Return
The topic that continues to echo from Turin is the possible return of Alessandro Del Piero in an official capacity at the club. Van der Sar, who played alongside the Italian legend, offered his take: “I met him two months ago in Portugal. Taking a managerial or director role at a club like Juventus isn’t easy. There’s a lot of pressure — we experienced that already as players. It depends on what he wants to do. Could he become president to bring back the Juventus spirit? Maybe, but that’s his decision.”
Thoughts on Di Gregorio and Donnarumma
Finally, the conversation turned back to goalkeepers. The focus fell on Juventus’ current number one, Michele Di Gregorio. “How do you handle criticism at Juventus? I don’t know!” Van der Sar joked. “I think it’s up to the players. The team works every day with the coach and goalkeeper trainer — that’s the secure environment to focus on. There’s so much media, the internet, social networks… you have to keep a clear head. Di Gregorio has quality, but you can’t always show it in every moment. He just needs to trust himself, play every match, and make the saves that help Juve win.”
As for Gianluigi Donnarumma’s surprising summer move to Manchester City, Van der Sar admitted: “I was surprised he left PSG. But sometimes a change of club, league, and country can be healthy. It can bring something new and positive to the Manchester City environment.”
