22 July 2015
Few people have had the same influence and left the same legacy on a football club as Giovanni Agnelli.
Born in Turin and later residing in Villar Perosa, the site of the Agnelli family estate and annual summer Juventus friendly with the Primavera, Giovanni’s relationship with the black and white stripes began when he was just 14 years old following the loss of his father, Edoardo Agnelli, in 1935.
Returning from military service in the Second World War in 1947, he was ready to take control of his beloved Juventus and guide them to further glory, leaving an irrevocable legacy on the club.
In seven years at the helm between 1947 and 1954, the team featuring talents such as Argentine forward Rinaldo Martino and Danish duo Karl Aage Praest and John Hansen, collected two Scudetto titles in 1950 and 1952.
His commitment, knowledge and love of the sport ensured that, although the presidency would pass to Enrico Craveri in 1954, Giovanni would remain at the heart of the club he adored until his death in 2003.
The dedication of L’Avvocato ensured that Juventus would no longer just be the name of a football team; it would become a symbol of success identifiable with the entire family, born from Giovanni’s own elegant style.
