Tudor returns to Juventus, says he finds a team 'with a great desire to work'

03/27/2025 01:24 PM

Juventus' new caretaker manager is ready to get to work after inheriting club in turmoil

Amid the consternation surrounding Thiago Motta's sacking thos past weekend, former Juventus player and newly-appointed caretaker manager Igor Tudor met the Italian press for the first time Thursday afternoon since returning to Turin, ushering in a period of change and discussing his first challenge as the new boss against Genoa this Saturday.

Unlike other press conferences this season, this one was political. Cristiano Giuntoli — the orchestrator of the now-defunct Motta hiring and the man behind the Tudor appointment as the Italo-Brazilian's short-term replacement — sat down in front of the press for the first time this season to welcome the new boss.

Giuntoli — who, for the sake of his own job, will be hoping that Tudor can get the club into the top four and qualify for the Champions League — also took the opportunity to clear the air of any bad blood that may have been reported on.

"Thiago Motta and all his staff for their hard work over the last few months," Giuntoli began, "our relationship is and has always been based upon respect and communication, and I am convinced that he will be a great coach, and I wish him all the best in his career."

What is more, the sporting director also provided some insight into when the decision was made to part ways with Motta and their hopes and expectations for the new coach.

"After the game against Fiorentina, we calmly analyzed the team's performance in the last few matches in detail, and we decided to make a change for the good of Juventus, because the last few weeks had given us cause for concern," Giuntoli said. "We chose Tudor, above all for his technical, human and moral qualities: he will stay with us until the end of the season, Club World Cup included, after which we will sit down together at a table, but the hope is to continue together, because we are confident in the future of this team, in our squad and in our coach."

Tudor followed up Giuntoli's comments by asserting that, while his appointment as coach may be brief — given that the reported conditions of his contract stipulate that he must attain Champions League qualification next season for it to be renewed — he is grateful for the opportunity, one that is all the more meaningful having spent the majority of his career as a player at the club.

"First of all, I would like to thank the director and the whole club for this opportunity," Tudor said. "For me it is an honor to coach Juventus and I will give my all for this team, because I don't want to disappoint anyone. I know what this club represents, its history, its prestige. When a club like this approaches you, emotions are inevitable: Juve is a club that everyone wants to coach, and I feel ready for this challenge."

Regarding the general mentality of the club, and the weight of responsibility on his shoulders, Tudor said: "There is a great desire to work, to do well, to achieve our common goal. I believe a lot in this team because it has quality players and a great desire to improve. We know that we are going through a difficult period and that there is little time to work on changes, but there must be no excuses. In my life I have never looked for them: I have always put myself to the test, facing challenges head-on. I want players with this mentality, who feel the weight and honor of the shirt they wear, and who are ready to take responsibility. Let's start from here."

Tudor further spoke about his connection to the club, recounting his years spent in black and white, his time playing with superstars like Zinedine Zidane and Alessandro Del Piero, and asserted that he will do his best to cultivate and uncover the mentality that once brought the club to the heights of world football.

"At Juve I learnt a lot, both as a player and as assistant coach," Tudor said. "This club has a unique work culture. I've told the lads about some moments I experienced here as a youngster: I remember Zidane humbly giving me his place in the physio room, despite being a world superstar, or Del Piero explaining to me how to leave my clothes tidy out of respect for the team's caretakers. They are details, but they make the difference. That's Juve: respect, discipline, sacrifice and the will to win.

"Over the years I have been involved with many teams and I have never seen a mentality like the one I found here. At Juve, hard work comes first and every choice is made with great care. This spirit must be our starting point.

"I spoke with Marcello Lippi, who was a role model for me. He was the coach who brought me here, and when I think of him, I think of Juventus. His way of communicating, of managing the changing room, of transmitting the winning culture is something that I still carry inside me today. I am very fond of him."

Tudor also spoke about some of the players he's inheriting from Motta, and how he'll utilize them. As always, striker Dusan Vlahovic — whose starting position was contested by Motta and the winter acquisition of Randal Kolo Muani — was mentioned. Tudor asserted that he is happy to coach such complete strikers and that he believes he can get the best out of both of them.

"Vlahovic is a very strong player, I am happy to be able to coach him, he has everything a top-class striker needs: he scores, he is intelligent, he shows great character and he knows how to motivate his teammates," Tudor said. "It's a unique period for him, but he wants to work hard and that's the most important thing. We have him and Kolo Muani, both strong players, and their presence in the squad is an advantage for the team. Can they play together? Of course, or only one of them can play. The important thing is to have quality players, because without those a coach can do very little."

He also spoke about Kenan Yildiz and Teun Koopmeiners — who, despite being consistent starters, have failed to either unlock their full potential or reach their former heights.

"Yildiz and Koopmeiners are also players with rare characteristics, which makes them very valuable," Tudor said. "They are guys who can and must score goals, because in football those who play further forward are decisive. My job will be to find the right positions to allow everyone to perform at their best and contribute to the team. I saw a group that was sorry about the change of coach, but also motivated and eager to start again. And that is what counts."

Regarding leadership, Tudor also asserted that despite his unfamiliarity with the team, one player — Manuel Locatelli — has emerged as the leading contender for the captain's armband.

"Everyone has to take responsibility, but having a role model is fundamental," Tudor said. "That's why the new captain will be Locatelli. I know him as a serious guy, with the right values and a great sense of belonging. I believe he has the qualities to be a captain worthy of this team. Together with him we will identify two or three other players who will have a leading role, and in the next few days we will define this internal structure."

In terms of how the players will occupy the field, Tudor asserted that while he does have a specific, high-pressing and attacking style, tactically, some things are yet to be determined.

"I have coached teams that played with both four-man and three-man defenses," Tudor said. "I have previously set up in man-to-man and zonal presses. Every team has different characteristics and the coach must be good at finding the system that best suits the players he has at his disposal. There are no magic formulas or systems that automatically guarantee success. What counts is the motivation, the spirit and the desire to win every duel.

"It will take a few weeks to see the first improvements from a tactical point of view, but what must be clear from the start is the team spirit. We cannot do without two things: head and heart. I want a brave team, one that does not give up anything. I like to attack and commit numbers forward, but I don't want to concede goals. Football is changing, the fans are more and more demanding, and we have to play football that is effective but also interesting to watch. The quality of the game must never be neglected."

Finally, Tudor spoke about his commitment to the fans, and that, as the 'beating heart' of the club, they'll be needed to overcome the challenge against Genoa and propel them forward during the remainder of the season.

"The fans are the beating heart of Juventus and I am sure they will get behind us on Saturday," Tudor said. "This is a club that you love, that you follow with passion, and their support will be fundamental. The lads also care about it and they will do everything they can to put on a performance for them. The match won't be easy, because Genoa are an organized team, with a coach who is doing a great job, but we will give everything."