Deschamps wants Juve job even if relegated

FORMER France captain Didier Deschamps is optimistic of coaching Serie A champions Juventus next season even if the club were to be relegated from the top flight as a result of the match-fixing scandal which has rocked Italian football.

The 1998 World Cup winner, who has been out of work since leaving French side Monaco last season, met with Juventus bosses last week to discuss a possible return to the club where he played between 1995 and 1998.

“I’m not used to making a journey for nothing. I told them that Juve’s sporting plans interested me even if the club are relegated to Serie B,”

Deschamps revealed.

“I’m available, the project is interesting, that’s where we are at the moment. It’s up to Juventus to decide now, but you have to remember that they still have a coach,” he said.

Fabio Capello was last month named as the club’s new general manager, but still holds the coaching position.

And 38-year-old Deschamps said that he remained cautious after his experience two years ago when he was in line to take over at the Turin-based club after the departure of Marcello Lippi, but club bosses opted for Capello.

“I’m very aware of what happened in 2004 and I don’t want to go through that again,” he said.

“I’m always cautious, I’ve always functioned in this way both in my playing career and as a coach. As long as nothing has been signed yet...”

Meanwhile, the anti-corruption judge investigating Italy’s match-fixing scandal handed his report to the Italian Football Federation’s (FIGC) disciplinary tribunal prosecutor this week.

The 180-page report will form the basis of prosecutor Stefano Palazzi’s case, with the five implicated Serie A clubs Juventus, AC Milan, Fiorentina, Lazio and Sampdoria facing possible relegation if found guilty.

More than 40 people were arrested last month as part of a criminal investigation by prosecutors in Naples into allegations referees were hand-picked to manipulate key matches in favour of Juventus.

Juventus’s general manager Luciano Moggi was the first prominent head to roll as he resigned over his part in the affair before having his house searched by police.