Juventus Welcomes New Coach Luciano Spalletti as He Aims to Revive Club’s Fortunes
Associated Press
October 31, 2025, 12:55 PM ET
TURIN, Italy – Luciano Spalletti, the newly appointed head coach of Juventus, expressed confidence in his ability to rejuvenate the team and position them as contenders for the Serie A championship despite the challenges ahead.
Spalletti was appointed on Thursday, taking over from Igor Tudor, who was dismissed after a disappointing stretch that included three consecutive losses. The former coach of Napoli and the Italian national team has inked an eight-month deal with the club.
Tudor’s tenure ended following an eight-match winless streak that began on September 13, which was briefly interrupted by a 3-1 victory over Udinese under interim coach Massimo Brambilla.
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Spalletti’s inaugural match at the helm will be against Cremonese in Serie A this Saturday, followed by a Champions League matchup against Sporting CP three days later.
“I wouldn’t have accepted this contract if I didn’t believe in the team’s potential and ability to overcome adverse conditions,” Spalletti remarked in his first press conference. “I’m excited about the possibilities and I see the opportunity to rectify certain issues.”
Juventus has not secured the Serie A title since 2020, ending a streak of nine consecutive championships. They currently sit seventh in the standings, trailing league leaders Napoli and Roma by six points.
In their Champions League campaign, Juventus has managed two draws and one loss, putting them at risk of elimination.
“I hope we can get back into contention for the Serie A title,” Spalletti added. “Why not? We discussed this with the players yesterday. Our goal must be to compete at the highest level, which means aspiring for the title.” He further noted, “There are 29 matches remaining after our first nine. Throughout my 30-plus years in this field, I’ve seen a lot. I don’t see why I should settle simply because of my age,” he joked.
At 66 years old, Spalletti is recognized for leading Napoli to the Serie A championship in 2023, but his time with the Italian national team was less successful, culminating in his departure in June after a poor World Cup qualifying start.
His coaching career also includes stints at Empoli, Sampdoria, Venezia, Udinese, Ancona, Roma, Zenit St. Petersburg, and Inter Milan.
Spalletti is the third full-time manager to take charge of Juventus since Massimiliano Allegri was let go in May 2024. Including interim coaches, he is the fifth individual to fill the role during that timeframe.
Thiago Motta was ousted in March and replaced by Tudor, who had previously led Juventus to a fourth-place finish and a Champions League spot last season.
Reports indicate that Spalletti’s contract could automatically extend for two additional years if Juventus secures a Champions League berth. However, Juventus general manager Damien Jacques Comolli clarified that it is an option rather than a guarantee. “We consider this a moral agreement, and we see it as a potential long-term collaboration moving forward,” he stated. “We aim to reassess our direction as the season progresses.”
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