Blog: A gamble too far?
After Juventus extended the contract of transfer chief Alessio Secco, Antonio Labbate questions how wise that decision is
Questions will be asked. And many of them will be justified. You can’t expect to extend the contract of a sporting director, who has had his difficulties on the transfer market since his appointment, without somebody doubting your judgement. Especially when you are a club like Juventus.
The Old Lady’s decision to today underline their faith in Alessio Secco by handing him a new deal until 2011 is something that the Turin-born official should be proud of. It demonstrates a recognition of his work so far and a belief in his ability.
Nevertheless, one has to acknowledge that Juventus may have taken a massive risk by confirming their trust in a man who is still learning his trade. Thrown in at the deep end during the summer of 2006 after Luciano Moggi resigned in the Calciopoli storm and Franco Baldini rejected the post, Secco has inevitably made mistakes.
Adrian Mutu and Zlatan Ibrahimovic were undersold to direct rivals Fiorentina and Inter respectively, while millions were wasted on Tiago Mendes and Sergio Almiron. The signing of Christian Poulsen in August at a considerable cost could also come back to haunt him.
Even the successful swoops of Momo Sissoko and Amauri have their negatives. How Liverpool managed to get £8m – making a profit of £3m – on a player who they no longer wanted must still haunt the Italian club’s accountant, while Palermo secured the services of Antonio Nocerino as part of the deal to release the Brazilian striker.
Although I don’t doubt Secco’s professionalism or his Juventinità given his already considerable years of service to the outfit, the job at this point in time may be a little bit above him. If he were a Juve player, there is no doubt that he would have been sent out on loan to gain the experience that a side such as La Vecchia Signora require.
Men such as Fiorentina’s Pantaleo Corvino, Beppe Marotta of Sampdoria and Napoli’s Pierpaolo Marino are officials who have the knowledge and the contacts that a Champions League side needs. You want to keep Secco? Then fine, but let him work alongside an already established sporting director – don’t let him lead.
Given Juventus’ progress in recent years, there is an argument to suggest that Secco’s not done a bad job. But his biggest test will arguably arrive over the summer when he’ll finally have to bring in a replacement for Pavel Nedved. Perhaps only then will we be able to understand how good Secco truly is.
Channel 4
After Juventus extended the contract of transfer chief Alessio Secco, Antonio Labbate questions how wise that decision is
Questions will be asked. And many of them will be justified. You can’t expect to extend the contract of a sporting director, who has had his difficulties on the transfer market since his appointment, without somebody doubting your judgement. Especially when you are a club like Juventus.
The Old Lady’s decision to today underline their faith in Alessio Secco by handing him a new deal until 2011 is something that the Turin-born official should be proud of. It demonstrates a recognition of his work so far and a belief in his ability.
Nevertheless, one has to acknowledge that Juventus may have taken a massive risk by confirming their trust in a man who is still learning his trade. Thrown in at the deep end during the summer of 2006 after Luciano Moggi resigned in the Calciopoli storm and Franco Baldini rejected the post, Secco has inevitably made mistakes.
Adrian Mutu and Zlatan Ibrahimovic were undersold to direct rivals Fiorentina and Inter respectively, while millions were wasted on Tiago Mendes and Sergio Almiron. The signing of Christian Poulsen in August at a considerable cost could also come back to haunt him.
Even the successful swoops of Momo Sissoko and Amauri have their negatives. How Liverpool managed to get £8m – making a profit of £3m – on a player who they no longer wanted must still haunt the Italian club’s accountant, while Palermo secured the services of Antonio Nocerino as part of the deal to release the Brazilian striker.
Although I don’t doubt Secco’s professionalism or his Juventinità given his already considerable years of service to the outfit, the job at this point in time may be a little bit above him. If he were a Juve player, there is no doubt that he would have been sent out on loan to gain the experience that a side such as La Vecchia Signora require.
Men such as Fiorentina’s Pantaleo Corvino, Beppe Marotta of Sampdoria and Napoli’s Pierpaolo Marino are officials who have the knowledge and the contacts that a Champions League side needs. You want to keep Secco? Then fine, but let him work alongside an already established sporting director – don’t let him lead.
Given Juventus’ progress in recent years, there is an argument to suggest that Secco’s not done a bad job. But his biggest test will arguably arrive over the summer when he’ll finally have to bring in a replacement for Pavel Nedved. Perhaps only then will we be able to understand how good Secco truly is.
Channel 4
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