Champions Again, and Sooner Rather Than Later!

This year was the year in which the Old Lady of Turin were supposed to reclaim their status as Serie A champions again; the club made a host of signings that seemed inspired at that time, and installed a player legend at the head of the team in the hopes that a fairy tale similar to Guardiola's Barcelona would arise.

More than half the season has passed, and we have again been made to look on in envy as Inter Milan sweep aside any opposition to effectively claim yet another Serie A title.

So what now? This article has been written to answer that question; what, in my opinion, can be done for Juventus for the next season, in order to return back to the pinnacle of Italian Football? 

First of all, the club needs major structural changes at board level to compete effectively again. Jean-Claude Blanc has become somewhat of an embarrassment at the club, who in no way has come close to producing the stability and competence previous presidents have afforded the club. He is a skilled economist, but has no talent whatsoever in directing sporting activities. 

He isn't helped by the fact that Alessio Secco is inexperienced when it comes to knowing what the team needs most every time the transfer window opens. This has lead him to make several big name signings without keeping the balance of the team in mind, or signing several above-average players and paying too much for them.

These players, when played, usually flop, and names such as Boumsong, Almiron, Tiago, and more recently, Diego and Melo, come to mind. In my opinion, Sissoko has been the only recent signing to have earned the right to wear the Juventus jersey. 

What Juventus need is a revamp; Italian transfer market experts such as Parma's Pietro Leonardi or Fiorentina's Pantaleo Corvino must be brought in to first stabilize the club and then potentially assist Luciano Moggi if he returns.

If the recent rumors that Marcello Lippi is due to return as Juventus president are true, then the club will be taking a step in the right direction. At this level, it is important for the club to maintain a certain level of expertise in football-related matters to have any hopes of success. 

Moving downwards, the team also needs a breath of fresh air, starting from the manager. The only suitable candidates for the job next season are Prandelli, Hiddink, and on an outside note, Benitez.

The manager must first of all be authoritative in managing the big names in the team. He must make them realize that they play for the team and not for themselves; that they are responsible for the performance of the team and not the other way around. The coach must have relevant ideas and must not be afraid of changing things around when circumstances call for it.

Most importantly, this coach has to have a winning mentality and inject it into the squad; he has to make it know that they are Juventus, and that by wearing the shirt, they are themselves a part of history of a great club. This comes around when the coach has good tactical sense that allows the team to be in control of games, boosting their confidence and belief in themselves and allowing them to best express themselves against any team. 

The squad also needs to be refreshed, and I'd personally like to see new players like Kjaer, Bonucci, Santacroce, Criscito, Montolivo, Palladino, Affelay and Pazzini arrive. What's crucial is that a new, high quality left-back, right-back, centre back, midfield playmaker, attacking midfielder, and striker arrive to address the shortcomings of this current squad.

In conclusion, it is imperative that Juventus shape up for next season before the Old Lady loses all of her charm, and people begin to forget our club's illustrious history. Most of all, I think the fans deserve something really soon after all the years of suffering, and so does the reputation and status of the club.