Sporting director Cristiano Giuntoli leaves Napoli, set to join Juventus

Napoli sporting director Cristiano Giuntoli has parted ways with the Serie A champions, as confirmed by the club.

After weeks of intense speculation, the Partenopei have made it official that Giuntoli has called time on his eight-year stint with the club.

The Italian director made a name for himself at Napoli, turning them into one of the major forces in Europe.

He was instrumental behind the scenes during the club’s dominance under Maurizio Sarri and last season’s historic Scudetto win under Luciano Spalletti.

Transfers such as Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Victor Osimhen and Kim Min-jae have been game-changers as they have grown from unheralded talents to world-class players.

Guintoli will follow Spalletti out of the club, with the Italian quitting the Partenopei after just one season. Rudi Garcia has succeeded him as the new manager at the Diego Maradona Stadium. 

The 51-year-old is widely expected to join fellow Italian giants Juventus as their new sporting director on a five-year deal worth €2.5 million annually.

Juventus have been without an active sporting director since Federico Cherubini was handed a ban at the start of the year.

Giuntoli will take the reins at Juve at a crucial time following their failure to qualify for European football and involvement in the financial scandal.

There will be high hopes for the former Napoli man to steady the ship at Juve and help them return to their best.

Massimiliano Allegri is likely to continue as the head coach after rejecting offers from Saudi Arabia.

Juve recently announced the contract extension of Adrien Rabiot, and Timothy Weah’s transfer from Lille could be next.