John Elkann, the head of the Agnelli family and Juventus, underlined the club’s ambitions in a letter to shareholders, describing this season as ‘Year Zero’ for the Old Lady.
The Bianconeri were forced to start pursuing a new direction last year following the off-pitch chaos of last campaign, which saw overhauls at management level and various legal battles related to financial issues. Ultimately, they were forced to miss out on European competition for the season.
Juventus have now qualified for the revamped Club World Cup and are close to guaranteeing their return to the Champions League, giving them two key sources of revenue next season as they look to return to the top once again.
Year Zero at Juventus
Writing in a letter sent to Exor shareholders via TMW, Elkann discussed Juventus’ 2023-24 campaign, their ambitions for the coming years and the important work of sporting director Cristiano Giuntoli.
“2023 represented a year of transition. Under its new Board of Directors chaired by Gianluca Ferrero, attention was paid to resolving the issues which they were facing with the Sports Justice, both in Italy and in Europe.
“The 2023/24 season is therefore the ‘Year Zero’, in which the club are laying the foundations for their return, both on and off the pitch.
“Cristiano Giuntoli, who arrived in 2023 and was just named Best Sporting Director of the Year at the Globe Soccer Awards for his work with Napoli last year, will help shape Juventus’ future.
“The team aims to return to the Champions League and has already confirmed their presence at the expanded FIFA Club World Cup in the summer of 2025.
“With a greater focus on the young talents of its Next Gen (who have proven their worth this year), Juventus aim to build a sustainable cost structure in line with the new UEFA regulations.”
The Juventus head then spoke about the club’s winning DNA and the Agnelli family connection.
“If you know our fans, our players and our spirit, the phrase ‘fino alle fine’ won’t sound new to you. It embodies the club’s determination to continue fighting. and overcome adversity, a belief held by Edoardo Agnelli when he was appointed President on July 24th, 1923.
“From that moment a century-long love story began between the Juventus families and my family, which in 2023 we celebrated with generations of fans in Italy and around the world, all united by the love for Juventus. Forza Juve!!!”