Another Day, Another Juve Contract Crisis

By: Martha | August 8th, 2007

Still a stud, hair still thining. After already giving in to the demands of David Trezeguet, Pavel Nedved and Mauro Camoranesi this summer, Juventus are suddenly pretending to be all tough and firm in contract negotiations, this time at the expense of a minor, not-at-all-iconic figure by the name of Alessandro Del Piero, whose current agreement expires at the end of the season.

As was the case with the Nedved negotiations, Juve are eagerly alienating one of their most important players by reportedly asking him to take a pay cut in exchange for an extension. (Because, you know, that approach has gone so well so far this summer. Why not try it again?) Again as with Nedved, Del Piero is reaching the tail-end of his career, and the club are hoping to pay him a slightly decreased wages that presumably reflects what they assume will be decreasing usefulness and playing time as the years progress. As a result, the club’s proposed extension is for a single year, and contains a €500,000 deduction in salary. For his part, the striker is asking for one through 2011, but would accept a deal through the 2009-2010 season — by the end of which he’ll be 35 years old — for which he expects to be paid the €5 million he currently earns.

You know, I was pretty hard on Nedved and Trezeguet for all their public whining and crying over their contract and salary demands, and it struck me they were at least as much to blame as Juve for the chaos that surrounded those negotiations. But this is different, because it’s Del Piero, and it’s 500,000 freaking Euros. I mean, come on Juve — what’re you saving that money for if it’s not to pay your captain, a man who’s devoted his entire career to you, no matter how bad things have been? Give me a freaking break and just pay up already.

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Category: Juventus, Rumors & News, Serie A

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Martha

Um ... EW. That's possibly the foulest pairing you could possible have proposed. You're totally losing your faux-gay cred here, Chris.
chris

I would think Gary Neville's toughest opponent ever was Cristiano Ronaldo's chastity belt
sofia

martha** sorry for spelling your name wrong...typing too fast
sofia

marha - it works because then the management may start feeling sorry for you and then agree to whatever terms you want...hey if they will do it for our resident royalty they better do it for il captiano's baby dammit!
Julie

This is an absolute disgrace. To treat a player of his loyaly, calibre and dignity in the face of some of the shameful acts carried out by the Juve hierarchy is utterly reprehensible. Speaking as a Manchester United supporter (along with my secondary passion for Italian football and sheer obsession with Bobo), having seen Del Piero grace the hallowed turf of Old Trafford is still a highlight for me, and Gary Neville still states that he was his toughest ever opponent. Lets hope some common sense prevails. Shame on you Juve!!
rickard

As a Del Piero fan, (what a guy) this is shocking, especially considering what Rosella "can I co-own your player" Sensi spent on Totti and Montella. Shame on the club management.
Martha

HA! Nice, Sofia -- diaper money should be Ale's next angle.
sofia

secco is an idiot anyway but this is really low. del piero has been there for 15 yearss and deserves more respect than this. plus his wife is pregnant he needs money to pay for the kid...
Martha

Yeah, exactly -- it's time to start getting younger, no doubt. But since they've caved so spectacularly with the other old men with whom they should have been firm, it's pretty shitty to do this to Del Piero, of all people. And, granted, they're not made of money like Inter or Milan, but to act like they can't afford the half-million Euros is a transparent lie.
tmc

This is a tough thing to deal with for a club like Juve, with many important players getting older. For example, many clubs (Arsenal comes to mind) have in place a policy that they do not sign anyone over the age of 30 to multi-year contracts. This allows the club to be consistent in how they treat the players and responsible in terms of planning for the future.

The fact of the matter is, Juve need to get some younger talent into the side and do it quickly if they are to move towards the top of the table and the Champions League place that the club and its fans are accustomed to. Also, it is very poor form to haggle with Del Piero over a relatively small amount of money, especially considering his long service with the club and any kind of implicit agreement that may have been in place when he stayed through the Serie B debacle.

Clearly, Juve is in a transition and it seems that there may be some cracks in the long-term plan for the team. And, yeah, the way to get paid has become stunningly clear and the club has no leverage at this point with Del Piero.