TURIN, Italy (AP) – Juventus’ new manager Luciano Spalletti believes he can turn things around at the Italian club in the short time he is given and even compete for the Serie A title.
Spalletti replaced On Thursday, former Napoli and Italy national team manager Igor Tudor signed an eight-month contract.
Prime Minister Tudor was fired on Monday. After three straight losses and an eight-game winless streak that began on September 13, the skid is over. 3-1 win over Udinese on Wednesday Under interim manager Massimo Brambilla.
Spalletti’s first game as manager will be against Cremonese in Serie A on Saturday. Juventus will then host Sporting Lisbon at home. champions league 3 days later.
Spalletti’s beliefs
“Why would I have accepted an eight-month contract if I did not believe that this team has potential, even though we have gone through difficult times?” Spalletti said on Friday in his first press conference as Juventus manager.
“So, I believe we can do a good job with them, and from there we go from availability to desire to self-discipline to achieving significant results. If we do that, I think we have a chance to solve some problems.”
Juventus has not won in Serie A since 2020, when they won their ninth straight title.
The team currently sits in seventh place in the standings, six points behind leaders Napoli and Roma.
In the Champions League, Juventus are in the elimination zone with two draws and one loss.
“I hope to be back in contention for the (Serie A) title,” Spalletti said. “Why not? That’s what I talked about with the players yesterday. We have to aim for the top and in this case the top is fighting for the title.
“Nine games are done, 29 still left and there are still many more. I’ve been a professional for 30-odd years and have seen it all. I’ve been lucky to be able to follow this path here. I don’t see why I should settle down just because I’m older,” he added with a laugh.
Spalletti, 66, is best known for leading Napoli to the Serie A title in 2023. After that, he was unsuccessful with the Italian national team. was fired In June, the Azzurri got off to a poor start in World Cup qualifying.
Spalletti also managed Empoli, Sampdoria, Venice, Udinese, Ancona, Roma, Zenit St. Petersburg and Inter Milan.
Spalletti becomes Juventus’ third full-time manager since Massimiliano Allegri was sacked in May 2024. Including the interim manager, he will be the club’s fifth manager in this period.
Thiago Motta was released by Juventus in March He was replaced by Tudor, who helped the club qualify for the Champions League by finishing fourth last season.
“The way forward”
Italian media reported on Thursday that Spalletti’s contract will be automatically renewed for another two years if Juventus qualify for the Champions League.
However, Juventus general manager Damian Jacques Comolli explained that although the renewal is not automatic, the club has the option of extending his contract for another year if they wish.
“There is also a moral agreement and what we have discussed with Luciano…we see this as potentially a long-term cooperation and that is certainly what the club wants.”
“Luciano and we both felt that was the right approach and we will have time during the season to sit back and decide on our future direction.”
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