Juventus Chief Executive Officer Giovanni Carnevali has dismissed rumors of a potential coaching change, offering his absolute backing to head coach Luciano Spalletti.
The corporate endorsement follows the team's first loss of the Serie A season on Sunday, a narrow 3-2 defeat against Sassuolo at the Mapei Stadium. The match concluded dramatically when Juventus loanee Vasilije Adzic scored a 94th-minute winner for the opposing side.
Speaking to the Italian radio program Radio Anch'io lo Sport on Monday, Carnevali firmly rejected the idea that Spalletti’s position in Turin is under immediate threat.
"We are not planning any change of manager," Carnevali stated. "Luciano Spalletti is an extraordinary coach. Changing the coach is not part of my usual plans."
A Philosophy of Continuity
Carnevali, who assumed his executive role at Juventus in June 2026 after a highly successful 12-year tenure managing Sassuolo, emphasized a long-term approach to club governance. He explained that short-term managerial instability rarely yields positive results for a club undergoing structural change.
"Changing coaches is not in my nature," Carnevali said. "We must try to program and build. We must give time and be patient, knowing that we will have to swallow some bitter pills."
Carnevali noted that football operates in competitive cycles, emphasizing patience and results over rhetoric. Spalletti, appointed in October 2025, remains under contract until June 2028, having secured two wins, one draw, and one defeat in the opening four league matches.
Learning From Mistakes
Addressing the Sassuolo defeat—where Edon Zhegrova's double was negated by late defensive lapses—Carnevali conceded the negative outcome and loss of balance while acknowledging the team's fighting spirit. He framed the setback as a collective learning opportunity rather than solely a defensive failure.
What Happens Next
Following the front-office restructuring that brought in Carnevali, Juventus aims to balance financial stabilization with ambitions in both the Scudetto and the UEFA Europa League. The Bianconeri look to rebound immediately by hosting Dutch side NEC in their Europa League opener on Thursday, followed by a domestic fixture against Atalanta on September 20.
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