TURIN, Italy – Juventus Football Club confirmed the appointment of veteran manager Luciano Spalletti on Thursday, October 30, 2025, tasking the Serie A title-winner with reversing the club's recent downturn in form. The 66-year-old joins on a contract until the end of the season, replacing Igor Tudor, who was dismissed following a dismal eight-match winless streak.

The appointment marks a swift return to club management for Spalletti, whose tenure as the head coach of the Italian national team ended abruptly in June 2025. His dismissal from the national post followed a defeat to Norway that jeopardised Italy's automatic qualification for the 2026 World Cup, less than two years after he took the helm. Prior to his international role, Spalletti etched his name into Napoli's history by guiding them to their first Serie A championship in 33 years during the 2022-23 season.

Juventus turned to Spalletti after a turbulent period under Croatian manager Igor Tudor. Appointed in March 2025 to replace Thiago Motta, Tudor's seven-month reign ended after a 1-0 defeat to Lazio on Sunday, October 26. The loss left the Turin-based club, one of Italy's most decorated, languishing in the league and was the culmination of a run that saw them draw five and lose three consecutive matches across all competitions. Under interim coach Massimo Brambilla, Juventus managed to snap their winless run with a 3-1 victory over Udinese on Wednesday, October 29, a result that lifted them to seventh in the Serie A table, six points behind leaders Napoli.

A Storied Career

Spalletti brings a wealth of experience to the role, having managed several top Italian clubs, including two spells at AS Roma where he won two Coppa Italia titles, and a period at Inter Milan. His managerial career also includes a successful five-year stint abroad with Russian club Zenit St Petersburg, where he won two Russian Premier League titles.

His arrival at Juventus is seen as a move to install a seasoned and respected tactician capable of steadying the ship and challenging for top honours. The club's official statement welcomed a coach with "such expertise and experience to the Bianconeri family."

Relevance for Kenya

While there are currently no Kenyan players in Italy's top flight, the appointment is of significant interest to the robust Kenyan football community. Serie A has a dedicated following in the country, with matches broadcast live on platforms including SuperSport via DStv and GOtv, as well as Showmax and SportyTV. This ensures that Kenyan fans can closely follow Spalletti's progress as he attempts to rebuild the 'Old Lady'.

Furthermore, Juventus has an official presence in Kenya through the Juventus Soccer School in Nairobi, an initiative supported by the Football Kenya Federation (FKF). The academy aims to develop young talent by teaching the club's footballing philosophy, indicating a direct investment in nurturing the sport in the region. The performance of the senior team under a high-profile manager like Spalletti will be closely monitored by these young aspiring players and the wider fan base organised through official local fan clubs.

Spalletti's first match in charge will be an away fixture against Cremonese on Saturday, November 1, 2025, which will kick off at 10:45 PM EAT.