Former Juventus captain Alessandro Del Piero felt that the timing of the departure of Antonio Conte from the coach’s job at the Bianconeri was unusual.
Conte, who played alongside Del Piero for 11 years before coming back to coach him in 2012, helped La Vecchia Signora win three successive Scudetti and two consecutive Supercoppas left the Turin side by mutual consent in July.
During a detailed interview with Tuttosport, Del Piero addressed various topics from Conte’s departure to the appointment of Massimiliano Allegri at Juventus.
“I heard about Antonio’s departure via an SMS from a friend,” he said. “The truth may be known only to those directly involved, maybe two faces and it was certainly a shock to everyone.
“The timing was unusual. Usually, these things happen at end of the season not at the start of preseason. In Australia people asked me: ‘How come a coach who has won three titles in a row goes away?’ I told them these things happen.
“In 1999 when Marcello Lippi suddenly quit, I was in Vail to check on my knee. So I was far away from the environment. While in 2004, at the end of Lippi’s second cycle, it was a different case as everyone knew that he was leaving at the end of the season.
“I know little of Max as a person but he is no doubt prepared technically and he certainly does not lack experience. The other night when I saw him at the dinner, he seemed very well integrated with the group and involved in the project.
“He is transmitting a fairly large amount of enthusiasm and motivation to the team. But beyond names,I think it is important that everyone realizes that a cycle has ended and another has started: A delicate step.”
The heroic figure at Juventus also expressed his opinion on their squad for the upcoming season and compared it with their competitors.
“It seemed to me that everyone is convinced and motivated in the Juve squad but the season will much depend on how the mercato ends for them.
“Arturo Vidal may be irreplaceable and without him the situation changes. If he is sold, then we should see how the money got from his sale is reinvested.
“Vidal is the name on everyone’s lips and it will take one to three players to replace him as his sale can arouse the purchase of up to three players if he is sold for €60 million. His departure would change the balance of the team, even if the midfield remains strong with Andrea Pirlo, Claudio Marchisio and Paul Pogba.
“Serie A will be different now. Juve won last year not only due to their strength but also because some teams had undergone a major restructuring.
“However, some teams in the Serie A are still facing major restructuring. Last year it was Inter and now it is AC Milan. By the way, good luck to Filippo Inzaghi.
“Roma are doing a great job with a coach who has had a great impact.”
Del Piero also spoke of the crisis that exists in Italian football.
“We always think to compare ourselves to the best because we have won the World Cup four times.
“Also clubs such as Juve, Inter and Milan have written pages of history at the highest level. But, today we have to deal with those who are objectively better than us.
“It is not just a fact of sports culture but I am referring to a movement. Take racism, for example, as it occurs more in Italy than elsewhere.
“We should try to inspire those systems that work well elsewhere. As in England and Germany. There must be an awareness of what has become our football, unfortunately.
“Italian football is now an event where the games are suspended just because one sits on top of the barriers dividing one stage. An event where the fans even come to kill.
“We should try to model our structure as the other countries and expand on positive values.”
