Juventus have three names in mind to replace Igor Tudor

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By: Nicolas Gerbault

Juventus thought Igor Tudor would bring more stability. Urgently called to come to the aid of his former club (1998-2007), the 47-year-old Croatian coach succeeded an overly inventive Thiago Motta and quickly came down from his clouds after his exploit in Bologna (which he sent to the Champions League). The Old Lady's gamble seemed to pay off, Tudor having managed to qualify the Piedmontese team for the Champions League with a fourth place acquired at the end of the 2024/2025 season. The start of this financial year also gave a glimpse of hope.

Juventus had won its first three Serie A matches, including the Italian derby against Inter (4-3), and was fighting with Napoli at the top of the standings. And then the machine went wrong. Unable to win a single match since this success against the Nerazzurri on September 13, the Turin club has just gone six matches without a victory (5 draws, 1 defeat). Juventus is not good to watch and all the Italian media agree that Igor Tudor will play for his future in the next two matches: the Champions League match against Real Madrid and next weekend's Serie A clash against Lazio.

2 stars and 1 bet

After the defeat in Como (0-2), the Croatian was criticized for his unattractive play and because he had poor relations with his superior, Damien Comolli. And unfortunately for him, he also pays for a summer transfer window that was not really managed masterfully, during which the Old Lady considerably strengthened in attack, while abandoning other depleted sectors such as the midfield. One thing is certain: nothing will be spared at Tudor and Comolli already has three names in mind to succeed the Croatian according to the Gazzetta dello Sport. The first is the flashiest option: Luciano Spalletti. At 66, the former Italy coach has been free from any contract since June and his departure from the Nazionale (replaced by Gennaro Gattuso). After coming close to the Italian champion title with AS Roma (2006, 2007, 2008 and 2017), Spalletti won the Grail in 2023 with Napoli. The transalpine technician would agree to land in Piedmont and Juve had already thought of him last summer in the event of Tudor's departure.

The same goes for the second tracked coach: Roberto Mancini. At 60 years old, the latter is described as a veteran league supporter of Juve and ready to take up the Piedmontese challenge, but his past as coach of Inter (2004-2008 and 2014-2016) risks making the bianconeri fans react. Be careful, however, because these two tracks are a handicap: the high salary that the two technicians could demand. Indeed, Juventus is still paying Thiago Motta's imposing salary (€12 million/year) until 2027. A costly expense to which would be added Tudor's compensation. The third name is a cheaper bet since it is the young Raffaele Palladino. At 41, the latter has also been unemployed since his departure from Fiorentina last May. This option would be more of a move attempted by the technical director of Juventus, the former Monegasque François Modesto, who worked alongside Palladino at Monza. Palladino is ready to immediately pack his bags to arrive in Turin.

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