Del Piero casts shadow at Juve, says Boniek

Juventus legend Zbigniew Boniek believes the club are trying to start a new era without Alessandro Del Piero.

On Tuesday, president Andrea Agnelli revealed this would be Del Piero’s last season with Juventus after nearly 20 years with the Turin club.

That decision was met with derisive laughter from former director Luciano Moggi, who slammed Juventus for they way they announced Del Piero’s exit.

But Boniek, who won the European Cup with Juve in 1985, feels the club want to move on and create a new cycle by giving the captain the elbow.

“My feelings are that the club want to turn the page with Del Piero without going back on their decision,” Boniek said.

“By announcing the move now, Agnelli has made his intentions clear, Juventus will not go backwards and offer Del Piero a new deal as soon as he scores two or three goals.”

“What surprised me is the way Agnelli revealed the news. In my opinion the club does not want to offer Del Piero any further role, not even as a director.”

“I can see a certain jealousy towards Del Piero. He is the symbol and image of Juventus and perhaps his continued presence there could shadow the other directors.”

“The club has offered a clear message, they no longer want Del Piero there.”

Del Piero joined Juventus from Padova in June 1993 and has since made over 650 official appearances for the Turin side.