John Elkann - Andrea Agnelli

[Socrates 7964]

Agnelli's letter to Juventus

Oct 2, 2014

Juventus President Andrea Agnelli wrote an open letter to shareholders discussing club finances, changing Italian football and Antonio Conte’s exit.

“Dear Champions of Italy,” began the letter published on the Juventus website.

“This balance sheet up for your approval marks a crossroads in the recent history of Juventus. It is an important step in a journey, which began in May 2010, of reconstruction and of a new phase of development.

“The ingredients that contributed to this turnaround are multiple, but can be summed up in a profound managerial revolution that brought sport back to its natural central role, maintaining a constant effort to bring in new revenue and control costs.

“The challenges that we will face in the next few years are even more demanding. If in Italy the return to being competitive has brought a run of three consecutive Scudetti, the fundamental economics of our international competitors face us with an evident truth: the gap with the best European clubs remains elevated and the gap must be reduced if we are to aspire to results in line with our international history.

“From the start of my mandate I signalled the need and urgency to enact structural reforms of the ‘system.’ Everything changed in the way Juventus is controlled, but almost nothing on the national stage.

“Our work and profound renewal therefore reaches a formidable limitation in the lack of overall development in Italian football. Changing this state of affairs is a complex operation that is of the utmost urgency if we are to achieve our objectives.

“The Juventus Stadium, of which we are proud, remains the only example of a sporting structure at the vanguard, capable of representing a model of security and an experience of the top level both ‘live’ and on television.

“Unfortunately, this is just 1/20th of the potential of Italian stadiums. It’s not enough for the collective sport to make a decisive step forward.

“The development of new infrastructures is the crucial issue of the next five years, during which Italian football must choose between being internationally competitive, both on the field and in its increase of revenue, or being pushed to the margins, something that today seems inevitable.”

Agnelli also urged the Lega Serie A to “reappropriate its leadership role, cleaning out a level of argumentative debate and lack of transparency that is frankly no longer acceptable.”

He called for a reduction of the number of professional clubs and a revision of the squads to guarantee a certain number of Italian players and the introduction of B-Teams.

Finally, Agnelli discussed the group of people who worked with the club over the last four years, including ex-Coach Antonio Conte.

“All of us thank him, but he decided for himself a new professional path. Our effort today is to support a new Coach: Massimiliano Allegri, a winner who has already brought to us new passion and a new desire to take on everyone and everything.”

[Socrates 7964]

Panenka: 'Nedved for Juve President'

Oct 12, 2014

Antonin Panenka revealed his friendship with Pavel Nedved, who he tips to “become Juventus President.”

The inventor of the chipped penalty, later taken on by the likes of Francesco Totti and Andrea Pirlo, was in Montecarlo for the Golden Foot ceremony.

He first unveiled ‘the Panenka’ in a shoot-out that gave Czechoslovakia the Euro 1976 trophy against West Germany.

“Before the game I didn’t know we would go to penalties, but I did know that I would take a spot-kick that way,” Panenka told Calciomercato.com.

“The important thing is to score a goal. Anyone who gets the ball in the net has achieved their objective and style comes later.

“When I have some spare time, I like to play golf with my friend Pavel Nedved.”

The ‘Furia Ceca’ has been suggested as a future President of Juventus, replacing current chief Andrea Agnelli.

“I wouldn’t do it, but Pavel is different and perhaps Agnelli believes he can become a good candidate for Juventus President.”

[Socrates 7964]

Agnelli anger over Juve defeat

Oct 24, 2014

Club President Andrea Agnelli was reportedly angered by Juventus’ defeat to Olympiacos on Wednesday.

Juve went down 1-0 to the Greek side in Athens, with Pajtim Kasami’s strike and heroics from goalkeeper Roberto Jimenez enough to confine Massimiliano Allegri’s men to a second defeat of the Champions League group stage.

Now Tuttosport reports that the loss could have far-reaching consequences, with President Agnelli reportedly angered by the Bianconeri’s capitulation.

The Turin-based sports newspaper reports that Agnelli has specified that the Old Lady must qualify for the Last 16 of the Champions League not only given the history and prestige of the club, but also for financial reasons.

The sports daily indicates that last year’s failure to qualify from the group stage after losing a do-or-die clash with Galatasaray in Istanbul had a serious impact on club finances, and Agnelli will not allow the same thing to happen again.

Agnelli is reported to have discussed the match at length on Wednesday night with directors Giuseppe Marotta and Fabio Paratici, being particularly aggrieved by the Bianconeri’s jaded first-half display, according to Tuttosport.

The Juventus President laid out his European ambitions clearly in the summer.

“We want to continue what we’re doing in Italy, and do as well as we can in Europe. That’s our level.

“We need to catch-up, and get back among the best eight teams in Europe.”

[Socrates 7964]

Agnelli: Premier League our example

Oct 24, 2014

Juventus President Andrea Agnelli admits the English Premier League is the model Serie A should look to emulate.

Having fallen to fourth in the UEFA coefficient rankings, Agnelli believes the Italian League must look England as an example of how to revive their fortunes.

“Juventus are among the top 10 clubs in the world,” Agnelli has told today’s shareholders’ meeting.

“However, we’re a long way behind the top clubs in Europe because of the structural limits of Italian football.

“Our club has nonetheless recorded a turnover of over €300m. Matchday revenues abroad are double [Juve’s].

“Liverpool have a main sponsor which operates only in Asia, Africa and the Middle East, and not in Europe. This demonstrates the pulling power of the Premier League, a project which was started 15 years ago.

“New partnerships will allow us to increase revenue, but we must work hand-in-hand with Serie A.

“The governance of Italian football showed its limits last summer, making us look old fashioned and with no chance of winning.

“Teams are sacrosanct, but must be reinforced by second teams, and immigration laws.

“Television money should ensure more fairness and stability.

“The Premier League has once again become a reference point.”

[Socrates 7964]

Juve announce record turnover

Oct 24, 2014

Juventus President Andrea Agnelli has announced a record turnover for the Turin club at today’s shareholders’ meeting.

The Bianconeri chief has announced that the Serie A champions have recorded a turnover €315.8m in the past year, in addition to winning a third straight Scudetto.

“Only once in its history has experienced a period comparable to what we’re achieving now,” Agnelli announced to shareholders today.

“In May this year we won our third title in a row, something which we haven’t achieved since the 1930s.

“Juventus has been able to achieve this once again, nearly 80 years later, marking milestone in Italian football.

“The sporting sector has a solid foundation, consisting of Massimiliano Allegri - a Coach who has already proven his ability to win - alongside Pavel Nedved and Fabio Paratici.

“In addition we have a group of players which is ready to face new challenges, and is working to win a fourth consecutive title.”

In addition to matters on the field, Agnelli also revealed record turnover for the Bianconeri.

“The daily work of the men and women of Juventus - who ideally I’d be able to thank individually here today - led Juventus to a turnover of €280.5m in operating revenues, consisting of matchday revenues and television rights.

“When you include the ‘player management’ revenue, that’s a turnover of over €300m for the first time in our history - precisely €315.8m.

“Breaking even pre-tax, and a return to operating profit after three years complete the turnaround, one which few believed was possible.”

[Socrates 7964]

Agnelli: Italy lagging behind

Oct 24, 2014

Juventus President Andrea Agnelli has declared that Italian football is lagging behind its continental rivals.

The club today announced a record turnover of over €300m, but Agnelli believes Italian clubs are failing to compete with those in England, Spain and Germany.

“Is everything ok then?” Agnelli pondered after pinpointing the Premier League as an example to follow to club shareholders.

“No. All you have to do is look at the situation in Italian football with a minimum of detachment and without partisanship to recognise a progressive decline.

“Someone in the establishment tried to argue that, since Italy as a whole has lost ground in every other sector, then the growth of our industry [football] - albeit lower than other countries - should reassure us.

“This is not the case, because the growth is linked exclusively to the evolution of the television market.

“Less than 20 years ago, England, Spain and Germany looked to Italy as an example. Today we have been overtaken in every respect - revenue, sustainability of businesses, sporting results, filling stadiums and UEFA ranking.

“Today we’re struggling to defend fourth [in the UEFA coefficient] from Portugal.”

The Bianconeri President hailed the club’s return to the top 10 clubs in Europe in terms of turnover, but warned Italian clubs are limited structurally.

“The level of turnover that we’re presenting today confirms Juventus as one of the top 10 clubs in the world, and our UEFA ranking has improved.

“However, our competitors - Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, Manchester United, Barcelona - have significantly outdistanced us.

“No Italian club has been able to grow at their pace, a clear sign of the structural limitations that plague our football.”

Agnelli called on other Serie A clubs to follow the example being set by Juventus, as he sees Italian football falling further and further behind.

“Only 10 years ago, matchdays in Serie A and the Bundesliga generated the same revenue, slightly less than those in La Liga and a third of the revenues in the Premier League.

“We were already a tortoise - today we are a shrimp.

“The Bundesliga and La Liga now generate twice the revenues of our football stadiums, which this year fell below €200m - of which one fifth, 20 per cent was generated by Juventus Stadium.

“The latter remains the only example of a cutting-edge facility [in Italy], but it only represents 1/20th of the total product. It’s not enough.

“Football is about the fans, but the fans and families have abandoned Italian stadiums. Some people blame increased television availability, which is a strange argument, because without TV money Italian football would have died a slow death.

“It still will, if clubs don’t take up a double challenge.

“Domestically, we need to get fans back into popular stadiums. Juventus, thanks to Juventus Stadium has reached a point where we’re at 95 per cent capacity - it’s news when a game doesn’tsell out. The rest of Serie A is constantly below 50 per cent, and falling.

“And then there’s abroad. Italian football has disappeared from the television screens of the big Western markets without getting into new markets.

“Juventus are trying to recover lost ground. Tours and social media give us new capabilities and new markets that will allow us to grow revenues.

“But Juventus will only grow fractionally if the collective product that is Serie A doesn’t do the same.

“Many years ago a book by Simon Kuper called ‘Football Against The Enemy’ was released.

“The author wrote: ‘When the English football fan seeks a better life, he goes to Italy, where he’ll find the world’s best players, games broadcast in full on television and lots of sports papers. The weather is also good’.

“This was Serie A for the English 20 years ago.

“I’m not saying this out of nostalgia. I’m saying this with the ambition that Serie A goes back to being thepoint of reference.”

[Socrates 7964]

Agnelli: Moratti Accepted A Scudetto For Inter
That They Did Not Win

Oct 25, 2014

Juventus president Andrea Agnelli has hit out at former Inter owner Massimo Moratti, stating that the latter’s love for the Nerazzurri pushed him to accept the 2006 Scudetto even though it was not won by the Milan club.

The 69-year-old stepped down from his role as honourary president at Inter on Thursday, and Agnelli noted that Moratti’s passion pushed him to accept the title in light of the Calciopoli ruling even though the Nerazzurri finished third that season.

“His love for Inter was enormous, so much so that it pushed him to accept a Scudetto that was not won,” he stated at a shareholder’s meeting on Friday.

“We are losing a great person of Italian football.”

Juventus were stripped of the 2004-05 and 2005-06 titles, with the latter title handed to the Nerazzurri.

The Bianconeri continue to count the titles even though they are not recognized by the FIGC, UEFA or FIFA.

[Socrates 7964]

Agnelli: Conte 'a bit touchy'

Dec 16, 2014

Juventus President Andrea Agnelli has described the qualities and flaws of his ex-Coach Antonio Conte.

Conte met the Juventus board of directors at the Gran Gala del Calcio's prize ceremony yesterday, where he was voted Coach of the Year.

Agnelli, also present at the celebration, was asked specifically to describe a flaw and a quality of the Coach that won his team three consecutive Scudetti.

The Bianconeri top man suggested that Conte could have done with some more patience.

“He is perhaps a bit touchy, especially when you tell him that something isn't going the way that he wants it to.

“As for a quality, that's tenacity, for sure.”

Juventus were voted Team of the Year and had seven of their players in the best XI.

[Socrates 7964]

Agnelli 'against' foreign investment

Dec 28, 2014

Juventus President Andrea Agnelli again demanded a revamp of Serie A stadiums, but is “against” foreign investment.

The patron spoke in Dubai at the Globe Soccer Forum today, reiterating points he has made in the past on the need for an infrastructure overhaul.

“Italian football needs to recover, including Juventus despite good results and revenue,” said Agnelli.

“We were the League of the world class players, now we are considered a transitory phase towards bigger things.

“We cannot compete with those divisions who have very different structures. Our League’s stadiums are on average 64 years old and don’t hold up when compared to those who developed modern, more comfortable and fuller arenas.”

However, Agnelli also recognises the financial crisis has hit Italian society hard and had a knock-on effect for its football clubs.

“Chelsea sell their tickets for double the price of Juventus, while in Germany the average wage is much higher than in Italy, so it’s not just an issue of stadiums. Nonetheless, we must try to relaunch where we can.

“Roma are about to take an important step by building their own stadium and more should follow suit.”

Parma were bought out this month by Russian-Cypriot investors, while Inter are owned by Indonesian President Erick Thohir and Roma run by Americans.

“I am against foreign investors whose projects might seem attractive at first, but then lose their sheen. We don’t want to see speculation on our clubs. We are in favour of medium-long-term projects that are serious.

“Investments must be useful and build an added value to the club.”

[Socrates 7964]

Agnelli blasts Italians and Europe

Mar 12, 2015

Juventus President Andrea Agnelli blasted Italian football chiefs, accusing Manchester City and PSG of “financial doping.”

The patron sat down with German magazine Die Zeit ahead of Juve’s Champions League visit to Borussia Dortmund.

“I am not the leader of the opposition in Italian football, because we don’t have a Government,” said Agnelli.

“Nothing happens without a meeting of the Presidents. The Lega Serie A itself is weak and has no authority, nor its own management. This leads to a less transparent situation, for example with TV rights, and a conflict of interest.

“We ought to change some of our ideas and behaviour. With few exceptions, the Presidents are all 60-70 years old. There are few in their 40s.”

Agnelli also warned the bankruptcy of Parma, who needed a €5m bailout package from the Lega Serie A just to finish the season, is “the tip of the iceberg.

“The fact a club can reach this point is down to the bad management of Italian football. I am not worried what people in Italy think of the country, but I am worried by what you overseas think of us.

“Old stadiums are one of the causes of this crisis, I agree 100 per cent. It is our generation’s job to leave our children with a different football, one that is better and more transparent, but also a better country.

“Without doubt there are differences between me and other Serie A Presidents. In my view it should be run like the Premier League by people who bring the League forward as a product with a strategy to develop and export our football.

“In James Pallotta, the Roma President, we have found an ally. Are more foreign investors welcome? I don’t care where the investment comes from, but I can assure you Juve will remain Italian.”

Juve have arguably the worst reputation abroad because of the Calciopoli scandal, which saw them stripped of two Serie A titles and demoted in 2006.

“It’s not right to say we’ve been rehabilitated. We accepted the sentence of the sporting trial, but that was all done in a month and new information emerged afterwards that was not taken into consideration.

“Three years ago we presented a request for damages worth €443m on lost income. We are waiting for the hearing.”

Agnelli also blasted the massive clubs who have challenged the Financial Fair Play regulations.

“At this moment there are four clubs who are beyond compare in terms of revenue: Real Madrid, Manchester United, Bayern Munich and Barcelona.

“They are followed by PSG and Manchester City, who however operate on a system of financial doping. If we take those two clubs out of the table, Juventus rise to eighth place. My objective is to reach fifth position in three or four years.”

Juventus also want to climb up the pecking order in the Champions League, starting with the Round of 16 against Borussia Dortmund.

“We are Juventus. We have to win every game.”

[Socrates 7964]

Agnelli: ‘Win in Italy and Europe’

May 25, 2015

Juventus President Andrea Agnelli says the club’s aim is to ‘win in Italy and Europe’ and praises Antonio Conte.

The Bianconeri have clinched their fourth consecutive Scudetto, and will contest the Champions League final with Barcelona on June 6.

“Our horizon has to be Europe,” Agnelli told 400 selected Juventus Members, as reported by La Stampa.

“We can’t always be in the final, but our dimension is Europe and our first goal is Italy. There’s a lot of pride after the fourth Scudetto, and a first Coppa Italia in 20 years.

“Now we’re all aware that we have a dream, and dreams can grow.

“We must confirm year-on-year in Serie A before being competitive in the Champions League: Juventus are going to win in Italy and in Europe.”

The patron also had words of praise for Coach Max Allegri, but did not forget the man he replaced, Antonio Conte.

“Allegri arrived here on July 16 and moulded a team which had won three Scudetti. He brought results, and made real the dream of being number one in Europe, so great credit must go to him.

“It’s also right to recognise the merits Conte brought when he arrived here in 2011. Antonio helped to bring the Juventus mentality up from the bottom, he was instrumental in our reconstruction.”

[Socrates 7964]

'Champions League final marks new Juventus era of success' - Agnelli

The club chief congratulated Massimiliano Allegri's men on their surprise run
to Berlin but insists that there is even more to come from the Old Lady.

Jun 8, 2015

Juventus president Andrea Agnelli believes the club's appearance in the Champions League final to be a sign of greater things to come.

The Bianconeri had been on the cusp of completing a superb treble last season, winning their fourth consecutive Scudetto along with the club's 10th Coppa Italia while beating Borussia Dortmund and Real Madrid on the road to Berlin.

Consequently, even though Juve were beaten 3-1 by Barcelona in the Champions League final, Agnelli believes that the Old Lady is now back where she belongs, mixing it with the game's elite.

“Looking back at Juve’s history in Europe, I think we’ve returned to the level where we all want to be," the 39-year-old told assembled reporters at a press conference.

"My aim is to ensure that the team continues to grow and remains competitive. I'd like to thank [coach] Massimiliano Allegri for the way he's come in and taken over at the helm in a historic period for Juve.

"The Champions League Final is our starting point for the future. After the matches against Borussia Dortmund and Real Madrid, we were able to play an open game against Barcelona.

"We certainly leave with some mixed feelings about the match in Berlin. We put in a fantastic performance and it bodes well for the future.

“But it’s obvious that when you play in the final of the Champions League you play to win it, like with any match that Juventus plays."

The Italian champions have already been busy reinforcing for the next campaign, signing Paulo Dybala for €40 million and just missing official confirmation of Sami Khedira's free transfer to Turin.

[Socrates 7964]

Agnelli: “Nobody unsellable”

http://www.football-italia.net/68813/agnelli-“nobody-unsellable”?

Jul 7, 2015

Juventus President Andrea Agnelli says none of his players are unsellable until the transfer market is closed.

Both Paul Pogba and Arturo Vidal have been heavily linked with moves away from Turin this summer, and Agnelli used the example of Christian Vieri to fuel these rumours.

“Is Pogba unsellable? In football nothing is definite,” he said to Tuttosport.

“I remember for example, years ago we wanted to keep Vieri at Juventus.

“The representative, my uncle, called Luciano Moggi and heard him say ‘The player is unsellable.’

“And then, a few days later, Vieri was transferred to Atletico Madrid.

“Therefore my players are only unsellable from September 1.”

[Socrates 7964]

Agnelli: 'Bonucci a pleasure’

http://www.football-italia.net/70209/agnelli-bonucci-pleasure%E2%80%99?

Jul 28, 2015

Juventus President Andrea Agnelli praises Leonardo Bonucci ‘as a player and person’ as the defender extends his contract to 2020.

The Old Lady held a Press conference this morning to announce the Italy international’s extension, which should see him stay at the club for 10 years.

“Leonardo was only the second purchase made under this management,” Agnelli said.

“Once this cycle draws to a close, he will have been at Juventus for 10 years.

“I've seen Leonardo grow over these five years, both as a player and person. It's been a real pleasure.

"It will be a joy to see how he helps bring through the youngsters.

"The contract renewal falls in line with our blueprint. We're proud of our group of Italian players.

"We've spent five years alongside each other and we now look forward to the next five years that lie ahead.

“Leo is right when he says that our first true opponent in Serie A will be ourselves. Now we’re all on the same level.”

[Socrates 7964]

Agnelli elected to UEFA Committee

http://www.football-italia.net/72715/agnelli-elected-uefa-committee?

Sep 8, 2015

Juventus President Andrea Agnelli has been appointed to the UEFA Executive Committee for 2015-17.

There were 11 new board members elected to join four existing members, including Milan director Umberto Gandini.

Agnelli joined the UEFA Executive Committee and was also confirmed on the European Club Association Executive Board.

The UEFA EC now has members from Bayern Munich, Milan, Real Madrid, CSKA Moscow, Manchester United, Arsenal, Barcelona, Juventus, Olympique Lyonnais, Ajax, Anderlecht, Olympiacos, Legia Warsaw, Celtic and HJK Helsinki.

[Socrates 7964]

Tavecchio Congratulates Agnelli On Uefa Role

http://forzaitalianfootball.com/2015/09/tavecchio-congratulates-agnelli-on-uefa-role/?

Sep 8, 2015

FIGC President Carlo Tavecchio has congratulated Andrea Agnelli on his election onto the Executive Committee of UEFA.

The 39-year-old is also the President of Juventus, the fourth member of the Agnelli family to run the football club after his grandfather, his father and his uncle.

“Dear Andrea, I want to express my sincere congratulations on the appointment to the UEFA Executive Committee,” Tavecchio said in a statement on the website of the FIGC.

“I am sure that we will be well represented, with his usual skill, the aspirations of our clubs and the whole family of Italian football.”

Agnelli was appointed President of the Bianconeri in May 2011 and has been credited with overseeing the club’s transition into their new stadium while winning four Scudetto’s in a row.

[Socrates 7964]

Agnelli calls for reforms

http://www.football-italia.net/73744/agnelli-calls-reforms?

Oct 1, 2015

Juventus President Andrea Agnelli urged Italian football reform including B Teams and new security measures.

The patron wrote an open letter to the shareholders, reflecting the recent statement on their financial stability.

“Juventus’ clear progress in running the club has not, however, sufficed to prompt profound, definitive reflection on the national level as to the future of Italian football,” wrote Agnelli.

“On several sides, important figures in the world of football are calling for the game in this country to be considered a fully-fledged industry which contributes to the country both via its tax revenue and its 'supply chain'.

“Yet sadly, Italian football has not found the human resources able to put it back at the centre of political debate. In our game, individuals who are neither important figures nor financers enjoy excessive power. It is an environment which has deceitfully 'generated' the consensus of a self-referential system.

“In the meantime, for the fifth time in six years, Italian teams that qualified for the preliminary rounds of the Champions League failed to reach the competition proper, and Italian clubs, despite finding themselves in a fairly healthy market position, have not been able to grow at the same pace as their European competitors.

“In the five-year period 2009-2014, revenue in English football grew by 61%, 46% in Germany, 32% in Spain, 42% in France, 86% in Russia and 62% in Turkey. Revenue in Italy for the same period grew by just 14%.

“The hope is that the next Olympic Games, at the end of 2016, can accelerate reforms to the structure of Italian football and foster the natural change in personnel, competencies and the way the game is run.

“This is a process the league bodies, footballers and coaches have to grasp in order to avoid spending a further five years, between now and 2020, listing what should be done but that no one does.

“Football has to go back to the heart of this world and, in the short term, in order to improve the product we offer supporters, it would be wise to tackle the following issues:

“1. For too long the idea of creating B teams has been rejected, while other countries have guaranteed their young players steady development. Serie A needs to have the strength to bridge the generational gap between the Primavera championship (Under-19) and potentially joining the first team, which typically occurs between 22 and 23 years old.

“2. Reforming the league system is imperative and must be accompanied by significant reflection on the issue of mutuality. Relegated teams must be protected so as to avoid jeopardising, as is currently the case, the business’s continuity. It is patently clear that cases such as Parma, who went bankrupt during the league season, or the continued problems many clubs are encountering in obtaining UEFA licences, undermine the credibility of the system as a whole, making it less attractive for potential new investors, who we need, provided they present clear, long-term development plans.

“3. The situation regarding stadia, save rare and noteworthy exceptions, is unchanged. Not only has the planning of new infrastructure stalled, existing facilities have even been granted waivers from current legislation.

“The introduction of Goal Line Technology – a positive move – entailed costs that all the clubs could bear without any problems. Sadly, the same cannot be said of investment in safety and the latest technology in video surveillance which, with much lower costs, would greatly assist the work of the authorities in identifying the individuals behind the offences and would clearly reduce so-called ‘objective responsibility’, which after the recent events of April’s derby at the Stadio Olimpico in Turin, I would jokingly dub ‘inherent responsibility’.

“Individual responsibility has now become of secondary importance and Italian football appears to have succumbed to this aberration.”

[Socrates 7964]

Agnelli: 'Harmonise Leagues'

http://www.football-italia.net/73991/agnelli-harmonise-leagues?

Oct 6, 2015

Juventus President Andrea Agnelli suggested major Leagues all start at the same time to “harmonise European football.”

The patron has proposed several reforms to Italian football, including the introduction of B-Teams.

“I think it is necessary to find a common thread for European football, for the good of clubs and fans,” Agnelli said at a club management forum.

“During the course of a season, teams are above all busy on the national level, so we should have national Leagues that start on the same day.

“Some start very early, for example on August 10, others must later. I acknowledge in these nations there is 35 degree heat and it’s impossible to play, but starting on the same day would help harmonise European football.”

[Socrates 7964]

Agnelli: ‘Changes don’t justify position’

http://www.football-italia.net/74707/agnelli-%E2%80%98changes-don%E2%80%99t-justify-position%E2%80%99?

Oct 23, 2015

Juventus President Andrea Agnelli warns changes to the squad are “not a justification for 14th-place.”

The Bianconeri overhauled the team this summer, with Andrea Pirlo, Carlos Tevez and Arturo Vidal among those leaving, with the likes Mario Mandzukic and Paulo Dybala coming in.

“We were aware that the process of renewing the Juventus squad could create some difficulties,” Agnelli admitted at the shareholder’s meeting.

“But it’s not a justification for our current 14th-place in the table. The investments in [Paulo] Dybala, [Mario] Lemina, [Daniele] Rugani, [Alvaro] Morata, [stefano] Sturaro, [Paul] Pogba and [simone] Zaza guarantee us a great future.

“We’re always vigilant on the transfer market, and we’re ready to take advantages of opportunities like the Tevez one.”

Agnelli also laid out his ideas for reform in Italian football, something he believes is necessary to compete with the top sides in Europe.

“Italian football is in a transitional phase, and to reach the big European sides we need a national approach.

“I’ve never shied away from the fact that more money could be given to the lower Leagues, but in the context of a well-defined plan.

“Reducing the number of teams is critical, as is the introduction of B teams. B teams would allow us to have fewer loans, like in the Premier League.

“Premier League clubs have 175 players out on loan. In Serie A it’s 452. That’s how you lose control of a player’s development.

“Given the importance of sport in the Italian economic system, a consolidated sports plan would guarantee greater efficiency.

“In terms of competitiveness, Italy is losing ground to foreign Leagues. Every crisis brings opportunity, if you have the courage to face up to the problems.

“Italian football needs a credible response, credible proposals and credible people.

“In short, it needs change.”

[Socrates 7964]

Agnelli: ‘Not criticising Allegri’

http://www.football-italia.net/74721/agnelli-%E2%80%98not-criticising-allegri%E2%80%99?

Oct 23, 2015

Juventus President Andrea Agnelli clarifies comments today, which were construed as a criticism of Coach Max Allegri.

Today is the meeting of Bianconeri shareholders, and the patron declared that changes to the squad were no justification for a lowly League position.

“After my statement at the meeting, what I said about the unacceptability of Juventus being 14th right now is being taken as a personal criticism,” Agnelli told reporters at a Press conference.

“I want to emphasise that from my point of view, everyone who works at Juventus, from the President to the club shop, should be aware that Juventus being in 14th-place is unacceptable.

“In addition, everyone who works at Juventus, from the President to the club shop, should know that they have to work to bring Juventus back to a competitive position this season.

“So my reasoning is this: for Juventus to be in 14th-place is unacceptable.”

It was also announced today that Pavel Nedved has been appointed as vice-President of the Turin giants, and Agnelli praised the former midfielder.

“It’s a great pleasure to have Pavel Nedved, the next vice-President of Juventus here alongside me.

“What Pavel represented on the field is not for me to say, many of you [the media] have described his exploits on the pitch throughout his career.

“What I can talk about is the enormous growth Pavel has shown in the last five years as a Juventus director, it has been a continuous and constant improvement, just like his playing career.

“Today Pavel is a man, a leader, who is fully aware of the various activities which take place throughout the club, of course with specific expertise in what happens on the pitch, but now he has a commercial sensibility that he didn’t have before, in terms of analysing the budget of a sports club.

“Now Pavel has all of the skills to allow him to represent the club. Pavel has acquired the skills to allow him to go further in his career.

“Pavel knows that, if he wanted it, he could be President of the Czech FA tomorrow, and that’s an example of something more he might want to aspire to in 10 or 12 years.

“He knows he can continue to grow with Juventus, but the important thing is that he grows professionally in every sense.”

[Socrates 7964]

Agnelli: 'Let's have a second Juve'

http://www.football-italia.net/74726/agnelli-lets-have-second-juve?

Oct 23, 2015

President Andrea Agnelli encourages Serie A reform, including the idea of having a 'second team' for Juventus and the other clubs.

Today's shareholders' meeting was the opportunity for Agnelli to praise Pavel Nedved, who was recently appointed Vice President, but also to discuss some of the recurring problems within Serie A.

“The League [Lega Federcalcio] set up a commission to draw out the reforms, and [director general Beppe] Marotta will take part representing our side,” he said.

“There's still a year to work with and many of the things I suggested can already be done.

“Stadiums are obsolete and financial resources must be invested on them.

“In one year we can conclude the reform of the championships. There's space for the 'second teams' of the clubs, but it requires political will.

“If somebody wants to have a second team, it's right that there should be another instrument for that, such as the 'B-team'.

“If we could loan out our players to the second team we'd have better chances.

“I hope that the current directors can carry out the reforms, not in the interest of Juventus but of all Italian football.

“A political career for me? No, I'm not interested. I'm happy where I am.

“We've been denouncing the problems of football for four years, but having seen FIGC President Carlo Tavecchio, I see there's a will behind it.

“Now we must understand if all parts agree on the reforms.”

Finally, Agnelli discussed UEFA President Michel Platini, who was under investigation by FIFA for an alleged involvement in the recent corruption scandal.

“I hope there's a quick judgment, one that looks into the real merit of the matters for which Michel was pre-emptively suspended from the ethical commission.

“From this point of view I can't help but agree with President Abete.

“It's hard to imagine that someone might accept money as an 'irregular' payment, and then declare it in his tax return.”

[Socrates 7964]

Juventus announce profits

http://www.football-italia.net/75565/juventus-announce-profits?

Nov 9, 2015

Juventus have announced a €16.8m profit for the first quarter of 2014/15, a €45.4m improvement from last year.

The Bianconeri’s board of directors met today to approve the Interim Management Statements of September 30 2015 and there was a positive outcome.

The club’s Press release revealed a €16.8m profit for the first quarter, a big improvement from a €28.6m loss in the same period last year.

Other ‘financial highlights’, as it was put in the release, include shareholders’ equity of €61.5 on September 30 compared to a balance of €44.6m on 30 June 2015.

Furthermore, the club announced that the net financial debt has risen by €6.9m to a total of €195.7m.

“That increase is due to payments made in transfer campaign (-€13.4m net), investments in other fixed assets (-€4.1m), cash flow from financing activities (-€1.8m), partially offset by positive cash flow from operations (+€12.5m),” read the Press release on the club’s official website.

[Socrates 7964]

Agnelli: ‘Juventus balancing act’

http://www.football-italia.net/78253/agnelli-%E2%80%98juventus-balancing-act%E2%80%99?

Jan 12, 2016

Juventus President Andrea Agnelli has “great ambition” but the club respects Financial Fair Play.

A round-table meeting about FFP is taking place today in Milan, and the Bianconeri patron gave his thoughts to journalists on his arrival.

“We hope you understand that for us we can return to competing in Europe after the defeat in the Champions League final,” Agnelli explained.

“There are times where it could seem like you lose that desire, but on the contrary that’s what we have to start from.

“I’ve been at Juve for six years, any action taken at my club is taken with Financial Fair Play in mind.

“It’s up to those in charge to combine the need to win with the need to follow the rules. It’s been six intense years.

“The goal was to make Juve competitive both nationally and internationally, and to do this you need human and financial resources.

“I was fortune to have met Giuseppe Marotta, and with him [Fabio] Paratici and [Pavel] Nedved.

“The four realities in Europe are Bayern [Munich], Real [Madrid], Barcelona and [Manchester] United.

“The other realities are hard to analyse, there’s PSG [Paris Saint-Germain] and [Manchester] City whose growth hasn’t been entirely organic.

“The others are all two steps below. We have great ambition, and the next five years will be the hard part, but we’re looking forward with great enthusiasm.”

[Socrates 7964]

Agnelli: Juventus Are Like Bayern Munich

http://forzaitalianfootball.com/2016/01/agnelli-juventus-are-like-bayern-munich/?

Jan 13, 2016

Juventus president Andrea Agnelli vowed that the club has grand ambitions for the future as it continues to compete on three fronts during the 2015-16 season.

The Bianconeri believe that they can learn lessons from Bayern Munich as they look to the future.

“The first thing [bayern ceo Karl-Heinz] Rummenigge made me understand was that we are capable of competing at an international level after our defeat in the Champions League final,” said Agnelli to reporters at an event held by Bocconi University.

“We are in a similar position to what they were in after they lost to Inter in 2010.

“There are moments in which you can lose the will to compete but you have to start again from that point.”

The FIAT board member also promised that the Old Lady will be run in a financially responsible manner.

“I’ve been here for six years now and every decision has been taken with Financial Fair Play in mind,” Agnelli went on.

“They have been six intense years as we aimed to get Juventus competing again which took financial and human resources.

“The European royalty is made up of Bayern Munich, Manchester United, Real Madrid and Barcelona and then you have sides such as Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester City who have grown in a slightly unnatural way and everyone else is behind them.

“We have great ambitions and the next five years will be difficult but we are looking ahead with great enthusiasm.”

[Socrates 7964]

Agnelli: ‘Juventus like Barca, Bayern’

http://www.football-italia.net/84173/agnelli-%E2%80%98juventus-barca-bayern%E2%80%99?

May 11, 2016

President Andrea Agnelli believes Juventus are “basically on par with Barcelona and Bayern Munich”.

The Bianconeri were eliminated from the Champions League at the Last 16 stage by the German side this season, but the patron believes their performance shows that last year’s run to the final was no fluke.

“The first thing to point out, both personally and for the whole of Juventus, is our enormous pride and satisfaction after winning a fifth-consecutive Scudetto,” Agnelli said at a Press conference to announce new contracts for Andrea Barzagli and Gianluigi Buffon.

“Something which definitely was a source of bitterness for us this year was the elimination from the Champions League.

“It was a bittersweet-bitterness though, because the game against Bayern Munich confirmed the international scope of this team.

“It confirmed that last year wasn’t a fluke, but that Juventus are truly starting to position ourselves among the European greats.

“We played basically on a par first with Barcelona and then with Bayern, in what we think was the most beautiful tie of the Champions League this year, on par with the Europa League Quarter-Final between Borussia Dortmund and Liverpool.

“We have to give the final signal that our dimension is an international one.

“I’ve talked with pride about the fifth Scudetto, but I don’t think we’ll understand the enormity of this result until 10, 15 or 20 years down the line.

“Only when some time has passed will we be fully able to see that we’ve written a page of history. At the moment we can’t take stock of what we’ve done, because we’re absolutely focused on our next objectives.

“When you come to Juventus, you realise that the most important objective isn’t the one you just achieved - it’s the next one.

“So from that point of view our attentions are focused on the Coppa Italia final on May 21, because it would be the first time an Italian club had done that one-two [retaining the Scudetto and Coppa].

“So we’re focused on that, and only after can we draw conclusions from this year.

“They’re objectives that we’ll be aiming for again next year, and with our world-class Coach [Massimiliano Allegri] we really have the chance to go beyond history and into legend with a sixth Scudetto or really trying to reach an international objective [the Champions League].

“All the lads that are at Juventus now have the knowledge that we can go and play anywhere in Europe.

“We know it has to be a dream, but it's a dream that is achievable now.”

Agnelli also took the time to praise Buffon and Barzagli, who will remain in Turin until 2018.

"The two lads I have next to me leave me a bit emotional, because I'm next to two world champions, two guys who have been champions of Italy five times in a row.

"Gigi can add another five Scudetti to that, as well as other national cups and trophies.

"It's a real privilege for me to have had Gigi as captain of Juventus over these years, because the captain of Juventus is the captain of Italy.

"A captain isn't just someone who wears the armband, it's somebody who makes the difference on and off the pitch.

"The last time we were here I hoped that someone like him would be given the highest individual honour, the Ballon d'Or.

"That didn't work out, so I hope Gigi will never give up and we'll see what happens.

"Also with me is Andrea, with whom I've joked several times that he's my best-ever buy and I can only reiterate that.

"Andrea is another serious, reserved lad who deserves not 10 times, but 100 times the spotlight that he gets.

"I don't think he seeks the spotlight, but he definitely deserves more of it.

"He's one of the best defenders of his era, and when you talk about Thiago Silva, Gerard Pique and John Terry he definitely belongs on that list. The fact we've had him with us for the past five years and will have him for the next two makes us extremely proud.

"We have two more years ahead of us with Andrea and Gigi, we'll walk together until 2018."