Juventus chief executive Giovanni Carnevali says failing to qualify for the Champions League has created a “bloodbath” financially, but insists Luciano Spalletti remains the club’s coach and Antonio Conte is not under consideration as a replacement.
Juventus finished sixth in Serie A last season and will compete in the Europa League, a result that has further restricted their room for manoeuvre in the transfer market.
The club have also endured a difficult start to the current campaign. Speaking at the Festival dello Sport, Carnevali stressed the financial importance of finishing in the top four.
“A top four finish gives you financial guarantees, and this year we are seeing losses without the Champions League,” said the Juventus chief.
“It has become more business than football, it’s one thing if you qualify for the Champions League, otherwise it’s a bloodbath. Having said that, we won’t be happy with the top four, the objective for us all is to win.”
The financial pressure could lead to the sale of a major player in the summer, although Carnevali said Juventus would first concentrate on remaining competitive.
“We are focused on being competitive, then of course we have to respect the UEFA parameters. We’ll see how the market evolves and what opportunities there are.”
Juventus were the first club to establish a youth team competing in Serie C, with their Next Gen side continuing to provide players for the senior squad.
Carnevali said he wanted to see more Italian players at the club, despite the challenges involved.
“My idea is to bring more Italian players in, but it’s not easy. We have the Next Gen with some interesting lads who could work with us or go on loan elsewhere.”
Juventus also completed the signing of Kerim Alajbegovic during the summer, beating competition from Chelsea to bring in the young player.
“The transfer market is vastly inflated at the moment, players move around for huge sums, and that makes some of these players out of reach for Italian clubs,” said Carnevali.
“With Alajbegovic we thought he was a young and promising player, we need someone who in future could be sold for €70-80m.”
Spalletti has already faced criticism this season, including after the defeat by Sassuolo, while reports have suggested Conte could return to Juventus following his departure from Napoli after two years.
Carnevali strongly rejected that possibility and praised Spalletti’s work.
“Spalletti doesn’t need to be defended by me,” he said.
“I think in difficult moments like the defeat to Sassuolo, he was targeted, but Spalletti is an extraordinary coach. If you went to his training sessions, you’d have your mouth agape. If only we had more coaches like Spalletti in Serie A.”
He added that Conte, whom he described as a friend and a top coach, had never been part of Juventus’ plans.
“Conte is a friend, I know he’s a top coach, but he is not in our thoughts and never was. There have been too many changes at Juventus in recent years, you can’t build something without solid foundations.”
Carnevali also dismissed reports that former Juventus captain Alessandro Del Piero could be approached to become the club’s president.
“Nobody told me anything, there is no truth in it.”
