Carnevali Blames Juventus Predecessors for Financial Mess, Backs Spalletti and Bremer

FolioPitch.com – 22 October 2026 | Juventus director Giovanni Carnevali has launched a candid defence of coach Luciano Spalletti and defender Bremer while aiming sharp criticism at his predecessors for the club’s current financial and sporting difficulties. Speaking ahead of the Europa League clash with Stade Rennais in Turin, Carnevali critical of Juventus predecessors and Bremer support for Spalletti became the central theme of his pre-match comments, as he addressed the fallout from the humiliating 3-0 Serie A home defeat to Lazio and the tension that followed.

The Bianconeri’s domestic form has been dismal, yet their European campaign tells a different story. Juventus sit top of their Europa League group after a 5-0 thrashing of NEC Nijmegen and a comeback 2-1 victory away to Celta Vigo. That contrast has left observers wondering which version of Juve will turn up against Rennes, and Carnevali was quick to identify the root cause.

“I think the important thing is consistency, because we alternated some good games with clearly negative performances,” Carnevali told Sky Sport Italia. “We want the maximum concentration and everything required to find consistency with those results we already had in the Europa League.”

The tension between Spalletti and captain Bremer boiled over after the Lazio defeat, when the Brazilian defender openly criticised some teammates for “hiding” under pressure. Carnevali revealed that the club intervened. “We talked to the players and reproached Bremer, because what he said was not right. He too spoke to the squad and cleared the air. It is natural for us to work with and support the coach.” That public show of support for Spalletti was a clear signal that the hierarchy remains united behind the coach despite recent setbacks.

Asked whether the club retains full faith in Spalletti, Carnevali turned his fire on the previous administration. “We must try to rebuild, so there have been some mistakes made in recent years not just on a sporting level, but an economic one too,” he said. “We find ourselves in a situation over the summer with a settlement agreement and Financial Fair Play limitations that blocked us from making certain moves. We need to rebuild, have clear ideas, and not just constantly chop and change, otherwise we’ll continually have to start from scratch.”

Carnevali, who has been in his role for four months, stressed the need for patience. “I try to bring my ideas, so I don’t believe it is right to change every time there are some difficulties. The Juventus jersey weighs on players, it is not easy for many especially young players, so we must try to help them, support them, and give joy to these fans, but also realise it takes time. We mustn’t be hasty.”

His remarks came on a day when Carnevali critical of Juventus predecessors and Bremer support for Spalletti dominated the agenda, highlighting a director determined to draw a line under past errors while protecting his coach and captain from external pressure. He also noted that Spalletti has reacted in different ways to results and performances in recent months. “The coach is still the same, he knows that we need to work. It’s true, the jersey weighs, the bench is a high-pressure situation, but that’s part of being at a big club like Juve. Maybe other clubs don’t have this situation, but after two negative games here the media immediately starts calling for changes. We all know what we need to do, that there are some issues that have to be analysed, and we are doing that.”

Carnevali again returned to the theme of consistency, insisting that off-field constraints are as damaging as on-field inconsistency. “I want to reiterate that lack of consistency is what has taken us into this situation, both on the field and above all off it with Financial Fair Play limitations, which is a big problem. We have to acknowledge and live with it, we mustn’t hide behind anything.”

On the pitch, Spalletti is set to make significant tactical changes. After weeks of public pleading from both strikers, Nick Woltemade and Randal Kolo Muani are finally expected to start together upfront in a 3-5-2 formation. Weston McKennie should also be given a free role to roam behind the forwards, adding extra protection for the defence. Those adjustments will be tested against Rennes, with Juventus hoping to translate their European form into domestic consistency.

In conclusion, Carnevali’s remarks painted a picture of a club in transition, battling Financial Fair Play restrictions and the weight of expectation. By criticising his predecessors for strategic mistakes and publicly backing both Spalletti and Bremer, the director has chosen stability over another cycle of upheaval. Whether that faith is rewarded will depend on Juventus finding the consistency that has so far eluded them in Serie A, starting with the visit of Stade Rennais.