Juventus positioned an enormous accountability on Cristiano Giuntoli initially of this season when he was appointed because the membership’s new sporting director. Having loved appreciable success at Napoli, Giuntoli’s spectacular monitor file earned him the distinguished function at Juventus, with the Bianconeri aiming to reclaim their dominance in Italian soccer.
Because the face of the membership’s decision-making course of, Giuntoli is tasked with overseeing key transfers and participant acquisitions whereas additionally guaranteeing that the board’s choices align with the membership’s long-term objectives. His affect has been appreciable, however his judgment has been beneath scrutiny, notably in mild of latest struggles.
One in every of his main choices was the appointment of Thiago Motta as supervisor. Giuntoli defended this alternative regardless of the staff’s struggles beneath Motta’s management, however after a sequence of disappointing outcomes, the supervisor was in the end sacked. Now, with Juventus preventing for a top-four end, Giuntoli’s place may additionally come beneath menace.
(Photograph by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Photos)
A report in Gazzetta dello Sport means that if Juventus fail to qualify for the Champions League by the tip of the season, the membership may make an analogous resolution concerning Giuntoli’s future. His main goal this season was to safe a top-four end, and failure to take action could end in penalties for him, simply because it did for Motta.
The expectations are clear: outcomes should enhance, and Juventus can’t afford additional underachievement. The stress is mounting on all people throughout the membership, and Giuntoli, because the sporting director, should ship on his commitments. If the staff fails to satisfy the required objectives by the season’s finish, Giuntoli may discover himself paying the value for the membership’s shortcomings.
The stakes have by no means been increased for the sporting director, and Juventus will probably be watching carefully to see if his choices bear fruit because the season progresses. The membership’s future in Europe may very nicely rely upon the actions of these on the high.