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Juve hire former Arsenal, Liverpool fitness boss

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  Published in Health and Fitness on Wednesday, September 24th 2025 at 22:54 GMT by ESPN
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Juventus bolsters its physical‑performance squad with former Arsenal and Liverpool fitness maestro John Burgess

In a move that signals its intent to climb back to the top of European football, Juventus announced on Wednesday that it has hired John Burgess as the club’s new Head of Physical Performance. The appointment follows the club’s recent reshuffle of its technical staff after a disappointing Champions League campaign and a string of mixed domestic results. Burgess brings a rich pedigree that spans two of the Premier League’s most successful clubs, and his arrival is being heralded as a key part of the Giallorossi’s long‑term ambition to restore the prestige that defined their 2000s era.

A résumé that reads like a footballing résumé

John Burgess is no stranger to the highest echelons of football. After a brief stint as the Director of Sports Science at Chelsea in 2010, he joined Arsenal in 2011 as Head of Physical Performance. While at the Gunners, Burgess worked under Arsène Wenger’s coaching staff and played a pivotal role in the club’s back‑to‑back Premier League titles in 2005‑06 and 2009‑10, as well as the 2014 FA Cup triumph. His expertise in injury prevention, load management and advanced recovery protocols helped Arsenal remain competitive throughout an era marked by intense fixture congestion.

In 2015, Burgess moved across the river to Liverpool, where he was appointed Head of Physical Performance by Jürgen Klopp. During his tenure, the club captured a Premier League title in 2019‑20, a UEFA Champions League trophy in 2018‑19 and a Club World Cup in 2019. His work was credited with sustaining player fitness levels across an exceptionally grueling calendar that saw Liverpool compete in the Premier League, Champions League, and the domestic cup competitions simultaneously.

“John has a track record of success at clubs that demand excellence,” said Alessandro Pio, Juventus’ Sporting Director. “His experience in top‑flight football will help us develop a more scientific approach to training and injury prevention, which is essential if we’re going to compete at the highest level.”

What does the role entail?

Burgess will be tasked with overseeing the physical conditioning of the entire Juventus squad—from first‑team stars to the Primavera (youth) sides. His responsibilities include:

• Designing periodised training programs that balance intensity, volume and recovery, taking into account the demands of Serie A, Coppa Italia, and European competitions.
• Implementing injury‑prevention protocols using data analytics and sports science tools to reduce the risk of time‑lost injuries.
• Collaborating with the medical team on rehabilitation pathways and return‑to‑play protocols for injured players.
• Co‑ordinating with the coaching staff to align training objectives with tactical requirements set by the head coach, Massimiliano Allegri.

Burgess’ appointment follows a broader trend in top European clubs, where data‑driven performance management is becoming as much a part of the game as tactical schematics.

Context: Juventus’ pursuit of a new era

Juventus’ search for new talent in the back‑room came after a run of inconsistent results. The club finished sixth in Serie A and were knocked out of the Champions League in the group stage—an outcome that many fans felt marked a clear deviation from the team’s usual standards. Manager Massimiliano Allegri and Sporting Director Pio have been under pressure to rebuild the squad’s physical backbone in a highly competitive environment.

The appointment of Burgess signals a clear message: the Giallorossi are ready to invest heavily in the science of football, a domain that has increasingly become a differentiator between clubs that dominate and those that struggle.

“The physical condition of our players is paramount,” Allegri told reporters after the announcement. “John brings an international pedigree and a modern approach that we believe will keep our squad fit and reduce injuries.”

Reaction from the football community

The news was received positively by the Italian press and many fans, who praised Juventus for “bringing a top‑class professional to the club’s back‑room.” Some analysts pointed out that the club’s previous head of performance, Gianluca “Gian” Rossi, had left a void that was difficult to fill, given his close working relationship with Allegri.

While the club has not yet disclosed the specifics of Burgess’ contract, early reports suggest a multi‑year deal with performance‑based incentives—a standard approach in the industry that aligns the individual’s success with the club’s results.

Further reading

• Juventus Official Site – Staff Directory: [ https://www.juventus.com/en/team/ ]
• Arsenal – History of Coaching Staff: [ https://www.arsenal.com/club/players ]
• Liverpool – Physical Performance: [ https://www.liverpoolfc.com/team/staff/physical-performance ]
• ESPN Soccer – Juventus Updates: [ https://www.espn.com/soccer/team/_/id/111 ]

Conclusion

John Burgess’ arrival at Juventus comes at a pivotal moment in the club’s quest to re‑establish itself as a powerhouse in both domestic and European competitions. With a career decorated by top‑flight achievements at Arsenal and Liverpool, Burgess is poised to infuse Juventus with a world‑class approach to physical performance, injury prevention, and recovery. If the club’s ambition—to become a model of data‑driven excellence—remains unchanged, Burgess’ appointment could well be the catalyst that propels the Giallorossi back to the forefront of Italian and European football.