Ah, Juventus and the swirling winds of managerial decisions! Vladimir Jugovic, the former Bianconero midfielder, has lent his thoughts on the current state of the club's bench in an interview with Gazzetta dello Sport. Reflecting on past times, he recalled, “Back in my day, a draw away from home was a bitter pill to swallow. With Marcello Lippi at the helm, even a single point would come with a sense of pressure. I can’t even fathom what would happen after two back-to-back losses and conceding seven goals; that’s simply not the Juve way. It wasn’t like that before, and it shouldn’t be so now. From afar, it’s tricky to pinpoint the exact issues, but it’s clear that conceding so many goals indicates a lack of balance and cohesion both on the pitch and within the club environment.”
On Thiago Motta’s current plight, Jugovic remarked, “For a storied club like Juventus, losing two games in such fashion against Atalanta and Fiorentina is unthinkable. Yes, Motta bears the responsibilities of an agent of change, but accountability must be a collective affair. Ultimately, results are what matter most at Juve. If you believe in a plan to rejuvenate the squad, you might want to persist with Motta. However, if you’re aiming for that Juve mentality, which seems to be lacking at present given the disappointing outcomes, it may be wise to look for an experienced hand that knows the landscape.”
On his preferences for a managerial choice, Jugovic suggested, “Antonio Conte is a sure bet. He was a winner as a player with us and has lifted silverware as a coach wherever he has gone, including leading Napoli in the title chase. Conte knows the heartbeat of Turin and the Bianconeri.” He also tipped his hat to Gian Piero Gasperini, praising his remarkable work at Atalanta, “He’s proven to be top-notch and has roots in Juventus having coached the youth teams. He certainly deserves a shot, and this is a question for Giuntoli to mull over.”
With over €200 million splashed out in the transfer market, Jugovic added, “It’s reasonable to expect more than just a Champions League qualification. A massive overhaul has brought great disappointment. For a club like Juventus, the fourth place isn’t enough. History is clear: in Turin, we play to win trophies, not just to compete.”
Turning to Dusan Vlahovic, he concluded, “It’s more than just a technical issue, as everyone knows. For €70-80 million, I’d consider parting ways with Yildiz. Historically, Juventus has capitalised abundantly on the likes of Vieri and even a superstar like Zidane.”
- Resource: Calciomercato
