Juventus sporting director Frederic Massara publicly reiterates his confidence Luciano Spallettidismissed suggestions that despite a difficult start to the Serie A season, the head coach’s position is already under threat. Massara spoke to Sky Sports Italia shortly before the Europa League opener against NEC Nijmegen and his comments came via TuttoMercatoWeb.
Masala defends calm assessment of knee-jerk reactions
When asked directly whether Spalletti’s job was already at risk, Massara retorted, while acknowledging the standards under which Juventus operate. He believes everyone involved with the club has a responsibility not to minimize dropping points, but insists the correct response is a calm assessment rather than panic, adding that such assessment starts with establishing that the team is in good hands and that the club retains complete confidence in both the coach and the squad.
Massala said the club is confident that with continued efforts, the development process can be accelerated quickly.
Noting the scale of summer rebuilding
The intervention came after Juventus lost 3-2 to Sassuolo, with key sources saying it was Juventus’ second worst start to the league in eight years, a result that has already fueled speculation about Spalletti’s future. Massara cited the scope of the summer overhaul as a backdrop for patience, pointing out that there were eight new players in the starting line-up against NEC and that Juventus ranked seventh among Europe’s top seven leagues for minutes played by new signings.
He stressed that a lot of interesting work was done during the transfer window, always within the limits set by UEFA, and the club is satisfied with what has been achieved, even if the integration of so many new faces takes time to show on the pitch.
Woltemade and Kolo Muani are considered complementary
Nick Waltermade made his first start for Juventus against NEC and Massara rejected any suggestion that the German was signed purely as a traditional No.9, instead describing him as a strong striker capable of playing alongside Randall Kolo Muani rather than simply replacing him. Massara’s public support is significant given the role he has played in shaping the current squad, although it offers no guarantees beyond the statement itself – a distinction that will be familiar to those who have followed Spalletti’s situation closely this season.
