It seemed fated that the paths of Igor Tudor and Juventus, a club in desperate need of a pivotal jolt to secure their berth in the upcoming Champions League, would cross once more. Indeed, Tudor has been appointed as the successor to Thiago Motta. This marks his return to the famous black and white strip, a jersey he proudly donned as a player for seven years from 1998 to 2005, and then again during the 2020-2021 season as a technical assistant under Andrea Pirlo. His stint in that subordinate role lasted only a few months; it was evident that this position wasn’t a fit for the Croatian, who has since made a name for himself as a head coach, most notably with Verona and Lazio, the latter guiding the side into the previous season.
Thiago Motta’s time at Juventus was fraught, he reflected on the challenges faced even after achieving Champions League qualification and winning the Coppa Italia, saying, “I’ll never be anyone’s assistant again.” It’s clear that Tudor’s reappointment comes with the hope of restoring a sense of belonging to the Juventus ranks, a spirit he embodies given his storied history with the club. His journey began in the summer of '98 when the Bianconeri, recognising his undeniable talent, signed him from Hajduk Split.
Tudor enjoyed a fruitful spell in Turin, tallying 174 appearances and a respectable 21 goals, not to mention two league titles and two Super Cups. After hanging up his boots, he returned home, only to climb the coaching ladder rapidly. His return to Italy came with Udinese, where he turned around their fortunes, before impressing at Hellas Verona and Marseille. Most recently, he was on the Lazio sidelines, where he kick-started his tenure with a victory over none other than his former side, Juventus.
Looking ahead, Tudor's tactical setup is expected to feature a three-man defence, reminiscent of Motta’s initial approach, with players like Federico Gatti and Pierre Kalulu likely positioned within. The midfield setup could see Manuel Locatelli and Kephren Thuram controlling the centre, flanked by Timothy Weah and Andrea Cambiaso. If Tudor opts for a 3-4-2-1 shape, it might see Kenan Yildiz and Teun Koopmeiners providing support to Dusan Vlahovic, whom Tudor has lauded for his potential. As the season unfolds, there’s a palpable sense of optimism around the Old Lady that this could herald a revival for some players left dormant in recent times.
