By Martin Graham
Luciano Spalletti has officially extended his stay in Juventus with the signing of a new two-year deal, ending any possibility of taking charge of the Italian national team. The experienced coach had been mentioned as a candidate for the job after Gennaro Gattuso stepped down last week, after Italy failed to qualify for a third consecutive men’s World Cup.
The 67-year-old only arrived in Turin in October on a short-term deal after Igor Tudor was sacked. Despite the initial temporary nature of his appointment, his influence was quickly felt in the team and the wider club structure.
Juventus chief executive Damien Comolli praised the impact Spalletti has had since his arrival, highlighting the positive changes seen in the squad and the wider Bianconeri environment. According to Comolli, it quickly became clear that Spalletti was the ideal figure to guide the club and support its continued development.
Napoli’s trip triumphs in the role of Juventus
Prior to his current position, Spalletti enjoyed a memorable spell at Napoli, where he led the team to their first Serie A title in 33 years in 2023. He left the club later that summer to take charge of the Italian national team, marking a new chapter in his career.
However, his time in Italy did not bring the expected success. After reaching the last 16 of Euro 2024, their tenure ended in June 2025 following a heavy 3–0 defeat by Norway in a World Cup qualifier.
Interestingly, Spalletti had already declared in March of last year that Napoli would be the last Italian club he would manage. His move to Juventus therefore marks a change in that position as he returned to club football once again.
Juventus is looking for a place in the Champions League
On the pitch, Juventus remain in contention for a top-four spot in Serie A. The team currently sits in fifth place with 57 points, just one point off the Champions League qualifying positions.
With seven games to play, the club remain firmly in the race to secure a place among Europe’s elite next season. Spalletti’s continued presence on the bench could prove crucial as Juventus aim to finish the campaign strongly and achieve their goal.
