Giovanni Carnevali has begun his tenure as Juventus’ new CEO with a clear set of objectives laid out by club owner John Elkann, according to reports in Italy. The directives, previously unfulfilled by prior administrators, center around improving financial performance through player sales, bolstering the youth system, and re-establishing a strong Italian core within the squad.
Elkann is reportedly prioritizing a return to a period where Juventus significantly contributes players to the Italian national team, a position the club has lost in recent years. Carnevali’s success at Sassuolo, where he consistently identified and developed talent, is seen as crucial to achieving these goals. Previous CEO Maurizio Comolli failed to deliver satisfactory results, both on and off the pitch.
One of Carnevali’s primary tasks will be to generate revenue through player sales. Juventus has invested heavily in players who have underperformed, and the new CEO is expected to offload these assets without incurring significant losses. Players such as Koopmeiners, Openda, David, and Di Gregorio have been specifically mentioned as potential departures. The scale of the operation is considerably larger than at Sassuolo, where Carnevali successfully re-sold players purchased at lower prices.
In terms of incoming transfers, Carnevali will need to balance manager Luciano Spalletti’s requests with the club’s financial constraints. The aim is to build a competitive squad around experienced players while adhering to the club’s historical standards. Juventus’ scouting department, led by Ottolini, has already identified potential targets, with the intention of adding at least one significant player per position.
Carnevali’s track record also emphasizes the importance of youth development. He is expected to strengthen Juventus’ Next Gen project, providing a pathway for young players to progress to the first team. He also has a history of identifying overlooked talent from other clubs’ academies, potentially leading to more signings in the mold of Kenan Yildiz.
Finally, Elkann has specifically requested a focus on signing Italian players. At Sassuolo, Carnevali successfully developed and promoted players like Locatelli, Scamacca, and Raspadori, all of whom went on to represent Italy. Replicating this success at Juventus is a key component of the new CEO’s mandate. This strategic shift aims to rebuild a strong Italian identity within the Juventus squad, mirroring the club’s historical dominance in providing players to the national team.
