Giaccherini criticises Spalletti comments and says Conte would be ideal for Italy
Quick summary
Former Juventus and Italy winger Emanuele Giaccherini said Juventus lack leadership after their loss to Fiorentina and disagreed with Luciano Spalletti’s recent comments. He also said Antonio Conte would be an ideal candidate for the Italy job amid reports Conte could leave Napoli.
Full article
Attributed to original sourceFormer Juventus winger Emanuele Giaccherini says the Bianconeri need more leaders but doesn’t agree with Luciano Spalletti’s recent claims and feels Antonio Conte would be ‘ideal’ for the Italy job.
Juventus risk missing out on Champions League qualification following a 2-0 loss against Fiorentina on Sunday.
‘Juventus need leaders’ The Bianconeri are two points below the top four with just one game left to play.
“Spalletti was good at conveying a playing style, but they lacked the ability to win games, even when their quality of play was lacking. You also need personality,” Giaccherini told La Stampa via TMW.
Spalletti was obviously unhappy with Juventus’ loss to Fiorentina, which has jeopardised a top-four finish, but the Italian tactician also argued that the Bianconeri could even have been out of a Europa League place.
MILAN, ITALY – APRIL 26: Luciano Spalletti, Head Coach of Juventus, looks on prior to the Serie A match between AC Milan and Juventus FC at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on April 26, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images) “Discordant words, I don’t agree with them,” Giaccherini said.
“The ambition at Juventus must always be to look up; it’s not possible to settle. Somebody like Chiellini is enough; he knows what to tell the team. Spalletti can’t be questioned, but Juventus need leaders.”
Giaccherini played under Antonio Conte for Juventus and the Italy national team and was asked his thoughts on the potential new Azzurri coach, who will be hired after the FIGC Presidential election on June 22, 2026.
PISA, ITALY – MAY 17: Antonio Conte manager of SSC Napoli looks on during the Serie A match between Pisa SC and SSC Napoli at Arena Garibaldi on May 17, 2026 in Pisa, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images) “It’s necessary to change our mentality and invest in our lads with more confidence and patience, rather than signing foreign players to satisfy speculation between agents and directors,” said the ex-Azzurri winger.
“I don’t know what Conte will do, but he’d be ideal.”
According to reports in Italy, Conte will leave Napoli after two seasons. Conte coached the Azzurri from 2014 to 2016 and has said he’s open to returning to the Nazionale bench.
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What happened
Emanuele Giaccherini said Juventus need more personality and leaders after a 2-0 defeat to Fiorentina left them two points outside the top four with one game remaining. He disagreed with Luciano Spalletti’s remarks suggesting Juventus could have been even lower in the table, arguing the club’s ambition must always stay high. Giaccherini pointed to the need for internal leadership figures and referenced Giorgio Chiellini as the type of presence the team requires. On the national team, he said Antonio Conte would be an ideal fit for Italy if the FIGC appoints a new coach after the presidential election.
Chance analysis
This matters more as sentiment and pressure news than as a direct squad update. The article reinforces a negative narrative around Juventus’ mentality and leadership at a decisive point in the season, which can affect confidence around high-stakes results. The Conte-to-Italy angle is notable but remains speculative rather than actionable team news.
The immediate effect is slightly negative pressure on Juventus, while the Conte-Italy angle remains a speculative background story.
Treat this as soft managerial and mentality signal: modestly negative for Juventus near-term sentiment, but not strong enough alone to materially reprice a match.