Alessandro Del Piero - Win's sportsmanship award

[D-Kin]

Exactly.

Here's the article:
channel4.com - Football Italia

[unitedfan]

QPR too!?

No credibility in that one so. But on the Palermo link:

Sky Sports | Football | Serie A | Palermo | Zamparini's Del Piero interest

[D-Kin]

As Zamperini says, the wages are the problem.

That's why the likes of Brescia and QPR don't stand a chance.

[D-Kin]

Del Piero Wants A Personal Trainer

Alessandro Del Piero is facing another showdown with Juventus, this time over his demand for the club to appoint a personal trainer for him.

Del Piero has not looked physically sharp this season, and The Golden Boy believes this may be the reason for his disappointing recent form.

He is therefore looking to follow in the footsteps of Francesco Totti and the legendary Roberto Baggio, who both employed personal trainers as they moved towards the tail-end of their respective careers.

Juventus Coach Claudio Ranieri is believed to be unwilling to grant Del Piero his wish, as he believes it will damage team unity by the fact that one player is getting special privileges.

This will not be the first point of disagreement between player and club. Del Piero is currently engaged in fractious contract negotiations, with the Juve hierarchy unwilling to meet the 32-year-old’s estimated salary demands of £3.2m a season.

Del Boy has also expressed his disapproval at Ranieri playing him out of position, in a trequartista role behind Vincenzo Iaquinta and David Trezeguet.

These are testing times for Del Piero and he was also left out of Roberto Donadoni’s recent Italy squad for the games with Georgia and South Africa.

Goal.com - Juventus - Del Piero Wants A Personal Trainer

To be fair he hasn't looked himself this season so maybe this is what he needs, Ranieri shouldn't stand in his way.

[D-Kin]

Juventus midfielder Antonio Nocerino has praised Alessandro Del Piero and hopes that the captain will sign a new deal soon.

The Bianconeri captain is locked in a contract dispute with the club he has represented for 14 years and it appears that an agreement is still far off.

As fears grow that Pinturricchio’s time in Turin may be coming to an end, Azzurrini starlet Nocerino has stressed Alex’s importance to the club.

“I just hope that they come an agreement as soon as possible,” the ex-Piacenza man stated.

“Without Juventus everything would change at Juventus as for the national side. I can’t imagine life without him.

“He gives off an air of tranquillity and he is so important to the whole squad.”

Del Piero’s brother and agent Stefano is expected to meet with Juve officials again this week in the hope of finding a settlement that will allow Alessandro to finish his career with the Old Lady.

channel4.com - Football Italia

[D-Kin]

Amauri wants Del Piero at Palermo.
channel4.com - Football Italia

[D-Kin]

It is now official – Alessandro Del Piero has extended his Juventus contract until 2010. “This was a decisive choice for my career and my life.”

He had been locked in negotiations with the club over a new deal for several months and at one point it looked as if he would end his decade-long stay in Turin.

However, today’s crunch talks found an agreement and pen has been put to paper on a contract until June 30, 2010.

“Today I made a decisive choice for my career and my life,” explained Del Piero. “Juventus have given me a lot and I want to continue winning here.

“The negotiations that took us to this signature were long and at times complex, but I wish to underline the effort put in from Jean Claude Blanc, Alessio Secco, my brother Stefano and Dario Tosetti, President of the Family Office who has been assisting me for 10 years.”

Brother Stefano is also Del Piero’s agent and he engaged in day-long talks at the club’s Turin headquarters today to find an agreement.

“I am relaxed and confident, because I share the project that I am sure will enable us to give our fans some wonderful moments,” continued the World Cup winner.

Juventus hinted in their Press release that Del Piero has indeed accepted a 20 per cent pay cut, which will go to 25 per cent for 2009-10.

“The agreement underwritten gives an economic recognition to a world class player, but also allows us to further develop the image potential of the captain in sectors and countries that are still unexplored, thanks to the full collaboration of the Juventus commercial structure.”

channel4.com - Football Italia

[azzurri]

It was never an issue. Somehow we were suppose to believe that a player who has played with Juve since the primavera, become the club's all top scorer and stayed with Juve in serie b, was going to leave. They needed something to fill the papers.

[Mighty T.A.L.]

And now everyone is happy!

[LAF]

Never an issue of him leaving. Just when he would sign.

Now Ale for President!!!

[D-Kin]

Juventus director general Jean-Claude Blanc has spoken of his delight at Alessandro Del Piero’s decision to commit his future to the Bianconeri.

After 14 years with the Old Lady, relations soured during tense contract talks and it had been feared that Alex may even quit Turin.

However, the Juve captain agreed to extend his contract until 2010 last night with reports suggesting that he has accepted a 20 per cent pay cut.

“It is an important result for the future of Juventus,” Blanc beamed after the announcement late last night.

“The agreement with Del Piero proves our ambition and our trust in a player of such great value who will continue to give his experience to help the squad and its millions of fans.

“He is a world champion, a model professional and a top-class player who will continue to write new chapters in the club’s history.”

The agreement will also shut down the rumour mill, which had been working overtime since Del Piero’s future came into question.

Despite his obvious love for Juve, the 32-year-old had been linked with Milan, Palermo, Brescia and even Queens Park Rangers in recent weeks.

channel4.com - Football Italia

[D-Kin]

Del Piero: I'm not finished yet Wednesday 17 October, 2007

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Alessandro Del Piero insists he never considered leaving Juventus, but that this contract until 2010 is not the last of his career.

‘Pinturicchio’ will be 36 by the time his deal expires and accepted a 20 per cent pay cut – increased to 25 per cent for 2009-10 – in order to extend his stay.

“I am satisfied with the agreement we have reached and happy to write another chapter in my life with the Bianconeri,” he said in a Press conference this evening.

“We spoke about the present and the future as well, so this is not a contract marking the end of my career.”

There have been reports that the agreement includes a post-playing career role within the club, but Del Piero assured that was not the case.

“Juve recognised many things and understood that the economic aspect was not the most important for me. We discussed collaboration in marketing and, although we are free to develop individual projects, we are ready to work together.

“The most important thing was to ensure everyone understood the message – there is no reason to give up or let go when both sides want to reach a deal.”

Several different options had been suggested for Del Piero, including an offer from Carlo Ancelotti’s Milan and Flavio Briatore-owned club QPR.

“I never wanted to leave Juve, nor did we seek other alternatives that could damage the negotiations. It’s true we took some time to think, but not about these matters. I like myself in the Bianconeri colours and am happy to be here,” continued Alex.

“I have always been proud of Juventus and especially the fans. They did everything possible to make me stay and even ran an internet campaign raising funds.”

This comment has also been seen as a swipe at the club and Coach Claudio Ranieri, who did not plead for Del Piero to remain.

“I have not spoken to Ranieri. He never made any comment on this matter and it is a choice I must respect. I haven’t received a call from the Agnelli family either, but I am sure they will soon. President Giovanni Cobolli Gigli sent a message.”

channel4.com - Football Italia

[D-Kin]

Agroppi disputes Alex extension Thursday 18 October, 2007

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ex-Fiorentina tactician and fierce Juventus critic Aldo Agroppi has criticised the Bianconeri’s decision to extend Alessandro Del Piero’s contract.

After a month of fierce speculation, the talismanic captain penned a two-year extension to his current deal on Tuesday.

Most experts agree that the renewal of vows was mutually beneficial after a happy 14-year marriage, but Agroppi is more cynical.

“He’s already losing his touch, imagine how he’ll be playing by 2010,” the outspoken TV pundit stated.

“I would never have offered Del Piero that kind of contract. It doesn’t make sense as Claudio Ranieri leaves him out.

“He isn’t irreplaceable anymore, especially when you consider that Vincenzo Iaquinta and Raffaele Palladino are often selected above him,” he continued.

“The truth is that the club is under the control of the fans who would have revolted if they had let him leave. He’s a good player, but he isn’t a champion these days.”

Agroppi's comments will be taken with a pinch of salt across the peninsula as he has openly admitted his dislike for Juventus and is amongst the side's sternest critics.

channel4.com - Football Italia

[D-Kin]

Del Piero’s baby joy Monday 22 October, 2007

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Juventus captain Alessandro Del Piero is a father after his wife Sonia gave birth to a son in the early hours of this morning.

“Dear friends, Sonia and I are very proud to announce the birth of Tobias,” a statement reads on Del Piero’s personal website.

“The mother and baby are doing well. We are very happy and want to thank you all for the loving messages we have received.”

It has been a superb week for Pinturricchio who has already renewed his contract with the Bianconeri and scored the decisive goal against Genoa.

The 32-year-old left the Stadio Olimpico in a hurry after Juve’s win last night to be at Sonia’s bedside for the birth.

channel4.com - Football Italia

Congratulations Ale!!