‘Prandelli won’t replace Conte’

Juventus have dismissed claims that Cesare Prandelli could replace Antonio Conte at the end of the season.

The Italian national boss is expected to return to club football after the World Cup and Turin has been suggested as a possible destination.

“Conte has a contract that expires in 2015,” director general Beppe Marotta commented on Friday. “We have an excellent relationship with him and we are very happy with his work.

“Therefore, there is no truth in the thinking that we are looking for a new Coach. The Cesare Prandelli rumours are without foundation.”

The director was also asked to comment on the form of Gigi Buffon, the 35-year-old who has made a number of mistakes in recent weeks.

“Buffon is a champion, a serious professional, a leader in the changing room, the captain of Juve and Italy,” he added.

“He is one of the best goalkeepers in the world and represents the best aspirations of a footballer and the ultimate desire for a Coach and directors who manage a group of professionals.

“Therefore you can permit him to not be the extraordinary goalkeeper that he has always been. Certain incidents happen.

“Gigi demonstrated great love for Juventus at the moment of his renewal. He had a number of offers from abroad, where they offered him double the salary he gets here.”

Marotta was subsequently questioned on the possibility of introducing rescission clauses into the new contracts of three major midfielders.

“It is used a lot abroad and there is the opportunity to use it here too, but we don’t think that clause always represents trust between a club and a player. Actually, it’s usually the opposite.

“Seeing as we have an excellent relationship with Arturo Vidal, Paul Pogba and Claudio Marchisio – serious professionals who want to wear the Juve shirt – we won’t include any such clauses in their contracts.”

Gigi

I dont care how much he declines, he'll always be the #1 for me.