Juventus names Luciano Spalletti as manager through season’s end
Juventus has officially appointed Luciano Spalletti as the new manager through the season’s end. This decision follows the dismissal of Igor Tudor after a disappointing performance, notably a defeat to Lazio. Spalletti, 66, has an impressive coaching pedigree, including leading Napoli to the Serie A title in the 2022-23 season.
Background of Luciano Spalletti
Prior to joining Juventus, Spalletti served as the head coach of the Italian national team. He took over after Italy’s failure to qualify for the 2022 World Cup under former manager Roberto Mancini. Under Spalletti’s guidance, Italy qualified for Euro 2024 but was eliminated in the Round of 16 by Switzerland. He parted ways with the national team in June after a defeat against Norway in World Cup qualifying, leaving Italy in jeopardy of missing a third consecutive World Cup.
Coaching Career Highlights
- Led Napoli to the Serie A title in 2022-23.
- Managed Inter Milan, Roma, and Udinese in Serie A.
- Secured two Russian Premier League titles with Zenit St Petersburg.
Juventus’ Current Standing
Massimo Brambilla temporarily took charge and led Juventus to a 3-1 victory against Udinese. This win left Juventus in seventh place in Serie A, six points behind league leaders Napoli after nine games. Their performance in the Champions League has been subpar; they rank 25th in the league phase, having recorded one loss and two draws in three matches.
Looking Ahead
As Spalletti takes over, the focus will be on stabilizing the team and pushing for higher standings both domestically and in European competition. Juventus fans will be hopeful that Spalletti’s experience can rejuvenate a struggling team and bring about a successful season.
