Why Igor Tudor Will Coach Juventus At Club World Cup And Into 2025/26

Forbes

a day ago

Igor Tudor made a big impact at Juventus after replacing Thiago Motta (Photo by MARCO BERTORELLO / ... More AFP) (Photo by MARCO BERTORELLO/AFP via Getty Images)
Speaking at his inaugural press conference after taking over as General Manager of Juventus, Damien Comoli has confirmed that Igor Tudor will remain as the club's Head Coach.
The Bianconeri had already announced Comoli's arrival – an appointment discussed in this previous column – and knowing that he would be asked about the future of the side, the former Tottenham executive addressed it head on.
'I would like to clarify a few points before taking questions,' Comoli told reporters at his first press conference. 'Igor Tudor will be our Coach for next season and not just for the Club World Cup. He will lead the first team for the 2025/2026 season and, I hope, beyond that.
'I remember it perfectly when I met him in Ligue 1. Even then, I was impressed by the intensity he brought to his Marseille side. He did an extraordinary job there, but I repeat that what struck me most was the resilience of his team, the physical and mental strength of those players.'
The reason Tudor had become such a hot topic was the constant speculation that he would be replaced. As last season came to a close, Juventus had been strongly linked with approaches for Antonio Conte and Gian Piero Gasperini but ultimately those rumours came to nothing.
Those same reports – including this one from the Corriere della Sera – also insisted that Juve had made contact with Stefano Pioli and Fulham boss Marco Silva, but again with no tangible progress.
Whatever the truth behind those rumours, the Turin giants will now go into the 2025/26 campaign with Tudor at the helm and he will also be in charge for the FIFA Club World Cup which kicks off later this month.
When he arrived back in March to replace Thiago Motta, Tudor was initially only in charge on an interim basis, but his deal automatically extended until June 2026 when UEFA Champions League qualification was achieved.
There was a clause that gave Juve an option to terminate the agreement for a cost of €1 million ($1.14 million) this summer, but now it seems the Coach will do so with a new, improved contract.
According to Italian transfer expert Gianluca Di Marzio, Tudor's agent Anthony Seric will be in Turin later this week to finalise terms on an extension that will run until the summer of 2027.
This would bring a far greater sense of stability to the club, as currently they would go into the 2025/26 campaign with the Coach already in the final year of his contract. Instead, with a two-year deal in place, Tudor would have more authority to shape the squad in the manner he needs to.
Comoli was inevitably also asked how he would support the Coach with changes in the transfer market, but – other than confirming Randal Kolo Muani would play for Juve in the Club World Cup – he refused to give any details.
'I'm very open, but there is one thing I'm not open about, and it's transfers,' Comoli said at his press conference. 'I tend to be more reserved on this.
'We discussed with the coach, Giorgio [Chiellini] and Maurizio [Scanavino, club CEO]. We have an idea; we are considering Igor's approach. What I can say is that surely adjustments need to be made, but not radical changes.'
Using the boss' tactical framework to inform their choices can only benefit the team and their prospects of silverware next term. Igor Tudor is here to stay, now Juventus need to rediscover their identity and challenge for honours if his time at the helm is to ultimately be successful.