Serie A champions Napoli have officially announced the departure of their highly regarded sporting director, Cristiano Giuntoli, Soccernet.ng reports.
Having joined the club in 2015 from Carpi, Giuntoli leaves a significant void after an impressive eight-year tenure.
Giuntoli’s remarkable journey began at Carpi, where he played a pivotal role in securing the club’s four promotions within five seasons, propelling them from Serie D to Serie A.
Known for his exceptional scouting abilities, Giuntoli possesses an uncanny talent for identifying and nurturing little-known players into bona fide stars.
At Napoli, Giuntoli’s magic touch only grew stronger. During his time as the sporting director, the Neapolitan team cemented their place among Serie A’s elite, consistently performing at the highest level.
Under his astute leadership, Napoli triumphed in the 2019-2020 Coppa Italia and, most notably, clinched their third Scudetto in the recently concluded 2022-2023 season, ending a thirty-three-year title drought.
Il Calcio Napoli ringrazia Cristiano Giuntoli per gli 8 anni di collaborazione con il Presidente Aurelio De Laurentiis, con l’Amministratore Delegato Andrea Chiavelli e con gli allenatori che hanno guidato la squadra. pic.twitter.com/4wfIOY6UHG
— Official SSC Napoli (@sscnapoli) June 30, 2023
One of Giuntoli’s notable accomplishments was securing the signing of Victor Osimhen, the Super Eagles striker.
Despite attracting interest from various English clubs after a phenomenal season at Lille, Osimhen was swayed by Giuntoli’s persuasive abilities and switched to Napoli.
The transfer fee, a record for both Napoli and African football, has proven to be a wise investment. Osimhen’s market value has skyrocketed to a historic €120 million, setting a new Serie A record.
However, Napoli’s recent success has been marred by managerial changes. Following the departure of Luciano Spalletti, Giuntoli’s exit further adds to the club’s uncertainty.
Rumours have already linked Giuntoli to a potential role at Juventus, intensifying the intrigue surrounding his future.
Additionally, the departure of Giuntoli raises doubts about Osimhen’s future at Napoli.
Reports suggest that the striker could be courted by clubs from Spain, Germany, and Germany, including Chelsea and Manchester United, potentially paving the way for a high-profile transfer.
As Napoli bid farewell to Giuntoli, his departure undoubtedly marks the end of an era for the club. The search for a new sporting director begins as the team looks to maintain their trajectory amidst the swirling winds of change.
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