Luciano Spalletti likely to become Juventus head coach
Negotiations between Juventus and 66-year-old Italian football manager Luciano Spalletti are underway, according to Italian journalist Gianluca Di Marzio. On Oct. 27, Turin’s football club dismissed head coach Igor Tudor. Spalletti is reportedly ready to replace the Croatian manager.
According to Di Marzio, Juventus has offered Spalletti a contract valid through the end of the current season — June 2026. If the club qualifies for the Champions League, the coach will automatically remain in Turin for another year. The parties have already agreed on salary. The Italian manager is said to be highly interested in the deal, as he «is eager for revenge for his disappointment as coach of the Italian national team.»
Acting head coach Massimo Brambilla will lead Juventus on Oct. 29 in a match against Udinese. The Old Lady wants Spalletti on the touchline on Nov. 1 in the game against Cremonese.
Forty-seven-year-old Tudor managed Juventus for seven months — since March 23, 2025. At the time of his dismissal, the team was enduring an eight-match winless streak across all competitions, including three consecutive defeats.
In Serie A, Juventus currently ranks eighth, with 12 points from eight matches. The table is topped by Napoli and Roma, both with 18 points. In the Champions League standings, the team sits in the relegation zone, 25th overall, with two points after three matches.
Spalletti has previously managed Empoli, Sampdoria, Venezia FC, Udinese, Ancona, Roma, Napoli, Inter Milan and Zenit St. Petersburg. He won the Scudetto with Napoli (2023), the Italian Cup twice with Roma (2007, 2008) and the Russian Championship twice with Zenit (2010, 2012). He was named Italy’s Coach of the Year three times (2006, 2007, 2023).
From September 2023 to June 2025, Spalletti served as head coach of the Italian national team. However, his tenure proved unsuccessful. At Euro 2024, his side was eliminated in the round of 16 after losing 0-2 to Switzerland. In the opening match of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, Italy lost 0-3 to Norway, after which Spalletti announced he was stepping down as head coach.
