Ex-Juventus winger: ‘I don’t agree’ with Spalletti, Conte ‘ideal’ for Italy job | OneFootball

Former 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.