Juventus: Time For The Football To Matter Again

Juventus have seemingly been in crisis from the minute they arrived back in Serie A following the 2006/07 season. Following their relegation as punishment for the Calciopoli scandal, the club attempted to rid itself of all connections to the past. Out went the board, replaced by a new, "clean" administration, while the then coach Fabio Capello, and a number of high profile players, did not wait for the sentence to be passed.

Since then, many changes have been made. The club has found new sponsors, new funding for the ambitious rebuilding of the much-loathed Stadio Delle Alpi, and returned the team to both Serie A and European competition. These accomplishments should not be lightly dismissed, as Juventus are now one of Italian football's only clubs to turn a profit and be self-sufficient.

Current Chairman Jean-Claude Blanc must take much of the credit for over-seeing this transformation, as he has steered the club—from a financial standpoint at least—in an impressive manner during the last four years.

Having said all that, there is one area where this resurgence has truly failed to deliver, and that is on the field. Indeed, speak to any Juventus fan and the positives mentioned here are rendered irrelevant—it is success on the field they crave. Four years of watching bitter rivals Inter rule the domestic scene has hurt them deeply.

While the failings are complex, wide-ranging, and seemingly endless, the core reason could not be simpler. The men running the club and making great business decisions are doing so because they are business men. What the club desperately lacks right now is, for want of a better term, football men.

The return of Roberto Bettega was a positive move in this direction, but seemingly his appointment has failed to change many of the issues. There is still a perceived lack of direction, highlighted both by the indecision of Ciro Ferrara's doomed regime, and the search for his replacement.

Alberto Zaccheroni was eventually chosen as the latest man charged with trying to awaken the fallen giants, but his appointment is both short-term and ill-advised. When looking for someone to take temporary charge, surely the last man you want is one who has a radical tactical idea from which he rarely deviates?

His love for the three-man defence is common knowledge among followers of the game in Italy, and with Juventus already lacking in confidence, such a change takes time. When you openly admit he is only there until the end of the season, what reason have the players to believe and trust his system?

Then there is the matter of the players themselves. Not only has the new administration failed to deliver the right men at the right time, it has spent huge sums of money investing in the wrong players, and the list of expensive mistakes continues to grow. Boumsong, Almiron, Tiago, Poulsen, and Melo are all signings which have never fitted the club or in most cases, the style of Italian football.

Then there is the departures of Cristiano Zanetti, the return of Fabio Cannavaro, the amazing number of injuries, and the lack of confidence of the whole squad that has been plain for all to see over the past two years, with the exception of around three months this summer when Ciro Ferrara's appointment seemed to galvanise everybody.

The bizarre dealings in the transfer market are seemingly endless. Xavi Alonso was deemed too expensive, despite being a perfect fit for the system and being willing to join the club, then Alessio Secco spent more money to secure Felipe Melo, who plays a position Juve were already well covered in.

A number of targets in the last two years have been missed when the club was asked to include Sebastian Giovinco in any proposed deal. Gaetano D'Agostino's move from Udinese, seen by many as the ideal man to join the midfield and attack, is one case in point. Giampaolo Pazzini of Sampdoria is another, who is rumoured to be a target, and Doria seem to want the "Atomic Ant" as part of the deal.

Now, Giovinco's talent is unquestionable. He is one of Italian football's brightest prospects, a star in the making as he has proved both for the National Under 21 side and whilst on loan at Empoli. But Claudio Ranieri, Ciro Ferrara, and now Alberto Zaccheroni are seemingly unwilling to field the player, for reasons unknown to those outside the club.

Given the fact he is not playing for the club, nor being loaned out for experience, why hold on to him? If money is as tight as it now seems, and clubs are willing to give market value, why not cash in? Surely a deal could be struck to retain half his registration, a common move in Italy. Getting a player of D'Agostino or Pazzini's qualities would vastly improve the current team, while losing the services of a player who is merely a spectator at present.

What Juventus clearly need is a plan, made by football men, for the sake of the fans and players alike. Give Bettega more power over the playing side, bringing in someone like Beppe Marotta, Pantaleo Corvino, or Pietro Leonardi to work alongside him in the role Alessio Secco has so spectacularly failed in.

The issue with Secco is a lack of football knowledge. The information, relationships, and contacts needed to perform this role are things you cannot be taught or buy. They are built and learned by starting at the bottom and working your way into a top job, much like predecessor Luciano Moggi did before him. Despite all his flaws, Moggi knew the game inside out and knew the value of players, skills Secco blatantly lacks.

Over the coming months, Juve have time to build for next season. That process must start at the top, with the footballing decisions made by men who know the game. It needs to start immediately if the club is to be competitive next season. Jean-Claude Blanc has done well for the shareholders, now is the time for him to serve those wearing the colours in the Curva , to repay their faith. It may prove to be his biggest challenge yet.