Former Juventus director Francesco Calvo was part of the Aston Villa delegation celebrating their victory in the Europa League final on Wednesday night, but the former Bianconeri executive insists that he is too busy in his current role to watch any Italian football: ‘English football is so intense’.
Aston Villa won their first European title in 44 years with a resounding 3-0 victory against SC Freiburg in Wednesday’s final in Istanbul: Youri Tielemans, Emiliano Buendia and Morgan Rogers with the goals.
Among Aston Villa’s executive staff is Juventus’s former director of revenue and institutional relations, Calvo. The Italian has previously held roles with Barcelona and Roma.
Ex-Juventus director Calvo reacts to Aston Villa’s Europa League triumph
EMPOLI, ITALY – MAY 22: Francesco Calvo of Juventus during the Serie A match between Empoli FC and Juventus at Stadio Carlo Castellani on May 22, 2023 in Empoli, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)
Calvo expressed his joy at Aston Villa’s latest European triumph in a post-match interview with Sky Sport Italia: “The club has been waiting for 44 years for this, it’s an historic night for Birmingham and for Aston Villa,” he said.
Villa head coach Unai Emery has now won the Europa League a staggering five times with three different clubs, all with ‘Villa’ in their name – Villarreal, Sevilla and Aston Villa.
“Unai is an incredible professional,” said Calvo. “He’s the hardest worker I’ve ever seen. He tells us every day that we have to improve. He’s a unique professional.”
Calvo believes that it is Villa’s togetherness that got them over the line in the Europa League.
“We definitely have a lot of strong players, the (strength of the) group is our main characteristic and that has kept us going, especially in the tough moments.”
The Italian also feels that Aston Villa are now firmly ‘back on the map’ among the big sides in the Premier League and beyond.
“Absolutley. Including the next one, it’s now four seasons that we’ve consecutively been in Europe. We’re happy and the important thing is to stay there.”
Calvo was in a mood for celebrating after full-time, and wasn’t particularly interested in analysing the struggles that the Italian teams have faced in Europe this season: “English football is so intense that I don’t watch much Italian football. Let’s enjoy the evening.”
