Tacconi backs Del Piero for Juventus presidency and questions how the club spends

Stefano Tacconi’s preferred answer to Juventus’ leadership question is Alessandro Del Piero: the former goalkeeper says the club should make its former captain president, arguing that investment only works when the people in charge know which players to choose.

“Reading about Del Piero as president, it would be the best thing they could do,” Tacconi told La Repubblica in an interview published around the release of his autobiography, L’arte di parare. His comments are a recommendation, not an announcement of a change to Juventus’ leadership.

Tacconi’s criticism is aimed at the use of money, not simply the willingness to provide it. “The Elkann family has a problem with money: they put it in, but how do they spend it?” he said. He argued that Juventus must rely on people who can identify the right footballers. The distinction is central to his case: spending is not enough if the club’s football decisions are wrong.

That argument arrives with Juventus seventh in Serie A on 11 points from six matches. They have won three, drawn two and lost one. Their next match is at home to Lazio on Sunday, October 18, giving the current team an immediate chance to improve its position while debate about the club’s direction continues.

Tacconi’s interview also offered examples of the outspoken personality behind his verdict. He recalled former Juventus president Giampiero Boniperti telling him to count to 10 before speaking; Tacconi said he usually got to two. After joking to a journalist that Silvio Berlusconi’s helicopter arrival at Milanello looked like practice for escaping at the end of the season, Boniperti fined him 10 million. Gianni Agnelli offered to pay half.

Another story involved Gaetano Scirea’s only fine at Juventus. Tacconi had promised to drive Scirea to training after his car broke down, but forgot. Scirea arrived half an hour late, and when Tacconi offered to pay half the fine, Scirea told him to cover all of it.

Those memories give context to Tacconi’s bluntness, but the football point is straightforward: Juventus need sound decisions to make their investment count. Del Piero’s presidency is Tacconi’s proposed solution; for now, the team’s next test is Lazio.