Van Der Sar thinks Spalletti stability will help Koopmeiners and advises Di Gregorio – Football Italia

LONDON, ENGLAND – JANUARY 26: Edwin Van Der Sar, former Manchester United and Fulham player acknowledges the fans during the Premier League match between Fulham FC and Manchester United FC at Craven Cottage on January 26, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)

Former Juventus goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar believes that Luciano Spalletti and the stability that he brings will help bring the best out of Teun Koopmeiners in Turin, and has also lent a word of advice to current Bianconeri goalkeeper Michele Di Gregorio: ‘That’s what you need to focus on’. 

Van der Sar on Koopmeiners, Spalletti and Di Gregorio

The Dutchman was in attendance at the Football Business Forum in Milan on Friday, and gave a brief assessment of the current state of affairs at his former club, Juventus, to reporters at the event. 

Reporters were keen to hear van der Sar’s thoughts on his compatriot, Koopmeiners, who has not lived up to expectations since his €60m transfer from Atalanta last summer. 

“I think he did a tremendous job first in Holland and then he got the transfer to Atalanta, developed into one of the strongest midfielders in Italy,” van der Sar said. 

“I haven’t followed Juventus all the time, but I’ve heard about the struggles and sometimes journalists still want an answer from me.

“Sometimes it takes a little bit more time and the changing of the managers doesn’t help of course, maybe they played a different system, but in general, he’s been one of the outstanding Dutch players for us over the last couple of years. Hopefully he can make his mark on the midfield again in Turin.” 

Van der Sar was asked if he thinks that the recent appointment of Luciano Spalletti will help to get the best out of Koopmeiners. 

He feels that having stability in the role of head coach is the most important thing, not just for Koopmeiners, but for the entire club. 

“I think it’s not only important for one player, I think that Juventus have to get the right coach to bring the club forwards. I think stability is something the club needs. I’ve experienced it myself, too much change of a manager is not going to develop the greatness of success. 

“I think he proved it before, so make sure they give him a chance and bring Juventus back to the place where they deserve to be.” 

Van der Sar was also asked for his opinion on Michele Di Gregorio and was asked if he has any advice for struggling Juventus goalkeepers. 

“I don’t know anything about that,” van der Sar joked. 

“It’s more about the players. If you’re a team that works every day on the training ground with the goalkeeping coach, that’s the safe environment you need to focus on. The outside world nowadays, in Italy, with the newspapers, online, the social media, you have to keep a clear head. He has clear qualities, but not every player gets all their qualities out all the time.