The worst is over? Judging by the Stock Exchange, one could say that Juventus' horrible week is drawing to a close: the stock +0,27% at 12, although weak, has now settled on the prices prior to the 60 hours (or so) in which it shone and the meteor of the Superleague was consumed. But the interval will be short-lived. From the locker rooms of the soccer capitals, in addition to a rain of rumors, only one certainty emerges: the great mess that exploded on Sunday night has not yet been settled. And it promises news. Starting from the top management of Juventus, the only company in the world that for almost a hundred years, from the time when Edoardo Agnelli, the son of the founder of Fiat, built the team that would dominate for five seasons in a row, has been linked to double thread to the fate of a family.
The question is only one: Will Andrea Agnelli, the president of nine consecutive Scudettos, weather the storm? Or are the rumors of a step backwards based? Really, as they have been saying (and writing) for days, the cousin Alexander Nasi is he ready to take his place? Needless to ask the latter: Nasi, now CEO of Comau, a past in New York at JP Morgan (precisely the sponsor bank of the failed revolution) and 14 years under Sergio Marchionne, has always been a grave, very reserved on the Exor front despite being one of the main shareholders, with 8,79% of the capital but, as representative of one of the branches of the dynasty (i.e. today the Ferrero Ventimiglia, Camerana, Marone Cinzano, Avogadro di Collobiano, Ajmone Marsan, Marini Clarelli families), point of a good 20 percent of the empire's safe. Certainly, as required by family law, his blood is 100% black and white. And there is no lack of a sentimental point of contact. His partner is Alena Seredova, a former model and former Mrs. Buffon. The managerial qualities and the coat of arms are the right ones but it is not said at all, assures those who know him, that he has this great desire to embark on the soccer adventure. The alternative, which has come to the fore these days, is the candidacy of Evelina Christillin, already true godmother of the 2006 Winter Olympics, spiritual heir of the Avvocato and authoritative member of the leaders of world sport. Of course, the transition from the head of the Egyptian Museum to his beloved Juventus would lend itself to easy jokes. But the lady has thick skin.
Andrea Agnelli, for his part, does not even think about resigning. On the contrary. At the time of archiving the dream of the Super League conceived together with Florentino Perez, you took the opportunity to announce that "from now on I will only dedicate myself to my love: Juventus". A question of character but also because of the belief that, sooner or later, the emergency in which football is navigating will make the project topical again. Meanwhile, however, the siege to her kingdom continues. And the enemies, like so many Viet Cong, are advancing with the aim of scorching the land around the Vallette fortress, the Continassa, an infamous neighborhood that Juve has redeveloped a lot in recent years to the point of making it its headquarters. And so today there is a lot of talk about theexit of Fabio Paratici, the current CEO already crippled by the Suarez affair (the first act of an unfortunate year) as well as by the trend of the season, which could be replaced by Cristiano Giuntoli of Naples or from return of Beppe Marotta.
Even more delicate ring, the choice of coach. Andrea Agnelli, on the occasion of the unfortunate interview granted to Repubblica just as the Super League building was collapsing without his knowledge. He reaffirmed his trust in "his" coach, Andrea Pirlo. But this hasn't prevented other hypotheses from making their way, especially in the event that Juve fail to achieve their goal in the Champions League. And so, alongside the hypothesis of return of Massimiliano Allegri, here is also the German map; Hansi flick, 56 years old, outgoing Bayern coach with whom he won the last Champions League, already destined for the German national team but who could set course for Turin, thanks to the good offices of the enemy Salihamidzic, who boasts a Juventus past.
In short, there is a turning of pawns on the chessboard, waiting for a potential check to the king. Improper comparison because in true dominus of the situation, that is John Philip Elkann, has so far spoken very little. In the recent past, in truth, he endorsed the work of his cousin Andrea, including the technical choice of Pirlo. And certainly, Agnelli kept him informed of the developments of the SuperLega project, but he kept out of it and did not meet Florentino Perez when the Real Madrid president came to Turin to define the details of the blitz. He hasn't denied financial backing to the management of the 63%-owned club, but apparently he hasn't hidden his recent concerns about deteriorating accounts. It is true that under Andrea the club has seen its stock grow on the Stock Exchange up to part of the main index for a short season, soaring from 160 million to 1,1 billion euros in capitalization, thanks also to the Cristiano Ronaldo effect. But in recent years the increase in debt is more impressive (358 million at the end of 2020) despite a non-convertible bond loan of 175 million executed in 2019. And, above all, the prospect of putting his hand back in the summer to recover the lost positions this year despite a steep rise in wages.
It is easy to think that, until a few days ago, John Elkann was greatly reassured by the prospect of the large collections envisaged by the JP Morgan plan. But now? Cousin relationships aside, Elkann is not only Exor's number one shareholder through December, the box controlled by his brothers, but also the CEO who must secure the dividend for shareholders, especially a family tribe. not exactly cheap. It will be up to him to justify a possible, indeed probable outlay of capital to support Juventus in front of shareholders who are not always convinced or enthusiastic. Hence the need to guarantee the members that Juventus will put the accounts back in order also a turning point vanished the SuperLega. But will it be able to do so if there is no management breakthrough in the meantime? Or, as a reflection, will Agnelli accept some form of financial protection and limitation to his powers? Questions waiting to be answered. But it would be curious, in the face of the deterioration of the financial situation which is now accompanied by a damage to the image and the loneliness in the system, if there weren't a turning point of some kind. Elkann, who has been searching for a new leader at Ferrari for months (it is almost impossible that it is Agnelli himself) cannot allow himself the luxury of another open front.
