Changes afoot at Juventus?
Monday 21 December, 2009
Tuttosport understands Juventus patron John Elkann and his cousin Andrea Agnelli are set to recommend some radical changes at the club.
Juventus haven't started a season this badly for 11 years, suffering five defeats in their last six games in all competitions, the most recent coming at home to Catania on Sunday.
Ciro Ferrara is under increasing pressure to deliver, especially after the club spent nearly £50m on two new players in the summer.
Elkann and Agnelli arrived at the club's training ground in Vinovo on Thursday to show a united Juventus, but also supposedly to make their intentions known.
The board will meet today to discuss recent events with Elkann and Agnelli pushing for Roberto Bettega's return to the club.
Bettega's contract was allowed to expire in 2007, but his qualities as a technical director are beyond reproach in Turin.
Tuttosport understands Bettega will help Alessio Secco, the club's much-criticised director of sport, in the January transfer market while also lending Ferrara an experienced hand on the training pitch.
Even more revealing is the claim Elkann and Agnelli will seek to go above Juventus President Jean-Claude Blanc in deciding the club's overall direction.
That could include the decision to move Ferrara upstairs and bring in a replacement like Guus Hiddink, who, according to his agent, has already been contacted by the Bianconeri.