Juventus management deny they blindsided Leonardo Bonucci after it emerged the captaincy had been withdrawn from the defender.

The veteran has also been encouraged to find a new club.

Guido Vaciago, the director of Tuttosport, told Radio24: "Juventus has been reporting for at least a month these things to Bonucci in private.

"Since yesterday he had to make them public. The reasons for this choice are technical and political, he is no longer the leader of the locker room.

"(Max) Allegri has strength and he has shown it. Bonucci has never been one who united the people as a Juventus player, he has always divided them.

"I don't know in what percentage, but I don't think that all the Juventus fans are saddened by this club decision."