Juventus is set to host Genoa at the Allianz Stadium in Turin this Saturday, marking Igor Tudor`s first game as the club`s new manager. This change comes after Juventus parted ways with Thiago Motta during the international break. Tudor, a former Juventus defender, returns to Serie A management after a year, previously coaching Lazio at the end of the 2023-24 season. He initially stepped in for Maurizio Sarri at Lazio but decided to leave at the season`s end.
Juventus` sporting director, Cristiano Giuntoli, brought in the Croatian manager to secure a top-four finish and Champions League qualification. Tudor is contracted to manage the team until the end of the current season, which includes participation in the FIFA Club World Cup in the United States this summer.
Tudor was introduced on Thursday, expressing his enthusiasm for the role in a press conference ahead of his Serie A debut, which will be broadcast on CBS. He stated, “I consider myself a coach. I started coaching early due to injuries. I`ve gained experience abroad. I`m driven by my heart in making decisions. Contract or not, if it feels right, I commit; if not, I move on. This opportunity feels right.”
He further added, “We focus on the present. Even with a ten-year contract, the immediate job remains. We have a game on Saturday, and that`s our focus. A coach`s life is about motivating the team for the present. We can`t control the future; I`m focused on today`s training.”
Match Details
- Date: Saturday, Mar. 29
- Location: Allianz Stadium, Turin, Italy
- TV: CBS
- Odds: Juventus -180; Draw +280; Genoa +550
Tudor`s Juventus Legacy as a Player
Igor Tudor has a significant history with Juventus as a player. He played 174 matches for the club, scoring 21 goals as a defender. During his time, Juventus won two Serie A titles (2001-02, 2002-03), two Italian Supercups (2002, 2003), and the UEFA Intertoto Cup in 1999. He was also part of the squad that won the Serie B title in 2006 after the Calciopoli scandal, although he missed that season due to injury. Despite this, he remained with the club under Didier Deschamps, agreeing to a salary reduction. Tudor left Juventus in 2007 after nearly a decade and later returned as assistant manager to Andrea Pirlo in the 2020-21 season, winning the Coppa Italia and Supercoppa Italiana.
Managerial Career Highlights
Tudor`s early entry into management was prompted by injuries that led to his retirement at 30, following a final season at Hajduk Split. He began coaching Hajduk`s youth teams before becoming the first-team manager, winning the Croatian Cup in 2013. His managerial journey includes stints at Karabükspor, PAOK, Galatasaray, Udinese, and a second spell at Hajduk, before his Juventus assistant manager role. He then managed Hellas Verona for a year, followed by Olympique Marseille, and most recently, Lazio, where he replaced Maurizio Sarri in the 2023-24 season.
Playing Style and Tactical Approach
Throughout his managerial career, Tudor has consistently implemented an aggressive, high-pressing style of football. He emphasizes intensity and discipline in both attack and defense. He typically employs a three-man defense, utilizing formations like 3-4-1-2 or occasionally 3-5-2. His teams prioritize direct transitions and quick attacks over a slow, possession-based approach. Tudor favors attacking football, as highlighted during his time at Lazio: “I prefer to win, and for me, 4-3 is better than 1-0.”
Recent Developments
- Juventus announced the dismissal of Thiago Motta and the appointment of Igor Tudor as the new coach for the remainder of the season.
- Insights into Juventus` decision to replace Thiago Motta and the club`s future direction.
Dominic Ashworth