After an agreement was reached to replace the fired Igor Tudor, Luciano Spalletti is expected to return to club management with Juventus. The 66-year-old, who led Napoli to the Scudetto in 2023, will sign a contract that will expire in June 2026; qualification for the Champions League will automatically extend it. Following Juventus’ match against Udinese, his official unveiling is anticipated.
Spalletti’s long-anticipated return to Serie A is almost complete, as Juventus have reached a full agreement with the veteran coach to replace Igor Tudor. According to Fabrizio Romano, Spalletti will sign a contract running until June 2026, which automatically extends by a year if the club secures Champions League qualification.
As per reports, the 66-year-old is expected to be present at the Allianz Stadium for Juve’s Serie A fixture against Udinese on Wednesday evening, although interim coach Massimo Brambilla will take charge of the game. His formal presentation and first press conference are scheduled for Thursday, with his debut on the bench anticipated for Saturday’s clash against Cremonese.
The appointment marks a major reset at Continassa after an eight-game winless run led to Tudor’s dismissal earlier this week. The Croatian’s final match in charge came in a 1-0 loss to Lazio, leaving the club languishing in eighth place, nine points adrift of leaders Napoli.
Spalletti acknowledged the magnitude of the opportunity when asked about his candidacy for the role on Tuesday. “Whoever replaces Tudor will be lucky; he’ll certainly find a team he can manage. Juventus is a great club with a great history. I think anyone would be happy to coach them; it could be the fortune of any coach,” he said. The former Italy manager had been out of work since June following his dismissal after the Azzurri’s disappointing start to World Cup qualifying.
The Tuscan-born tactician, known for his attacking brand of football, last managed Napoli, where he masterminded the club’s first Scudetto in over three decades during the 2022-23 season. His title-winning campaign with the Partenopei remains one of the most celebrated in recent Serie A history, showcasing his ability to build dynamic, possession-based sides.
Spalletti’s reputation as a meticulous planner and a player’s coach has long made him one of Italy’s most respected tacticians. His return to domestic football brings both intrigue and expectation as he looks to restore Bianconeri to the summit of Italian football amid inconsistency.
As per il bianconero, Giorgio Chiellini, who is part of Juventus’ management structure, played a decisive role in securing Spalletti’s appointment. Both men were said to be in full agreement that Spalletti’s philosophy aligns with the club’s long-term vision, particularly in balancing competitive football with the development of emerging players.
Spalletti’s first task will be to evaluate the squad and halt Juve’s ongoing winless streak. The Bianconeri have gone eight games without a victory in all competitions and currently sit adrift of the Serie A top four, the worrying reason why Tudor was also sacked.
He is expected to take charge officially in the weekend fixture against Cremonese, before leading Juventus into a crucial phase of the season that includes league clashes with Fiorentina and Inter Milan, as well as the decisive Champions League group-stage fixtures.
