Juventus Reshapes Leadership with Massara and Chiellini
Juventus have moved quickly to redraw the club’s internal map, confirming Frederic Massara as Chief Football Officer and handing Giorgio Chiellini a freshly created role as Chief Club Affairs Officer.
It is a double appointment that says a lot about where the club want to go – and how they plan to get there.
Massara to run the football machine
The rumours did not last long. Whispers on Tuesday morning that Massara was close to joining the Turin giants were followed within hours by an official announcement. The 57-year-old, who left Roma a month ago and previously helped shape projects at AC Milan, now becomes the man in charge of Juventus’ men’s football division.
“Frederic Massara has been appointed Chief Football Officer of the Club,” read the club statement. In the new structure, he reports directly to Chief Executive Officer Giovanni Carnevali, a clear signal that sporting decisions will sit at the very top of the hierarchy.
His brief is broad and decisive: oversee the management and development of the men’s football operation, help define and implement sporting strategies and projects, and work in lockstep with Sporting Director Marco Ottolini. In practice, that means Massara will sit at the heart of squad planning, long-term recruitment vision and the competitive identity of the first team.
Juventus were keen to underline his pedigree. Over the years, Massara has built a reputation as one of the most respected executives in European football, playing a central role in the growth of major clubs such as AC Milan and AS Roma. Now that experience is being plugged into a Juventus structure that has been in flux.
Chiellini becomes the club’s institutional heavyweight
While Massara steps into the engine room, Chiellini moves into the boardroom corridors that surround it.
After a year as Director of Football Strategy, the former Juventus captain has been promoted into a new position: Chief Club Affairs Officer. It is a title that reflects his evolving status – no longer just a symbol on the pitch or a voice in technical meetings, but a figurehead for the club in the wider football world.
“Giorgio Chiellini takes on the brand new role of Chief Club Affairs Officer, strengthening Juventus' ability to engage, build relationships and represent its interests with key institutions, strategic stakeholders and sporting organisations, both in Italy and around the world,” the club confirmed.
This is the job of a statesman. Chiellini will be expected to leverage his name, his contacts and his credibility to defend and promote Juventus across governing bodies, leagues and strategic partners. At a time when off-pitch politics can shape on-pitch futures, it is a significant move.
Carnevali’s stamp on the new Juventus
The twin appointments also shine a light on Giovanni Carnevali, who only arrived last month to replace Damien Comolli as CEO and General Manager after a short spell from the Frenchman at the Allianz Stadium.
Carnevali wasted little time in putting his mark on the structure. “I am convinced that we are building a solid, competent and cohesive structure, capable of supporting our ambitions both now and in the future,” he said, welcoming Massara and confirming Chiellini’s new role. “We are delighted to welcome Frederic into the great Bianconeri family. His expertise and in-depth knowledge of football represent an added value and complement perfectly the professional skills already present within the Club's organisational structure.”
The message is clear: Juventus want a tighter, more defined chain of command, with experienced specialists in key posts and a direct line from the dressing room to the boardroom.
Squad building already underway
This is not just a paper reshuffle. Juventus have already moved on the transfer front, confirming their first signing of the summer with Italy winger Jeff Ekhator arriving in an €18m deal, including add-ons.
The timing is no coincidence. With Massara now officially in place and Ottolini continuing in his role, the club’s sporting strategy team is taking shape just as the market opens and major decisions loom.
A new football chief, a club legend turned institutional leader, a CEO eager to modernise, and the first piece of the summer squad already through the door. Juventus are rearranging the pieces at the top. The question now is how quickly this new structure can turn boardroom clarity into trophies on the pitch.
