Five things learned from Spalletti’s first press conference as Juventus coach | OneFootball

Luciano Spalletti held his first press conference as the Juventus coach on Friday: here are five things we learned.

The Tuscan tactician has signed a contract until the end of the season, and the club will decide whether to extend his stay until 2027 at the end of the current campaign.

Here are five things we learned from his first meeting with the media.

Contract until June 2026

Both Spalletti and Juventus GM Damien Comolli explained why they decided to sign a short-term contract, and the coach didn’t seem to be concerned about it. “If I had not believed that this team has potential, despite difficult moments, why should I have accepted an eight-month contract?” Spalletti said. The Italian tactician added that because of his career and experience in football, he is not worried about a short-term deal: “Luckily, for my career and what football has given me, I don’t need guarantees on my future. I think it’s quite fair to make assessments. I’m not forced to stay in a certain situation because of a contract. Therefore, we do this experience together, and I find it a very simple and honest and clear situation.”

FORT LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA – MARCH 20: Head coach Italy Luciano Spalletti speaks with the media during a press conference on March 20, 2024 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. (Photo by Claudio Villa/Getty Images)

System

Spalletti will make his debut as the new Juventus coach tomorrow against Cremonese, but he’ll only have one training session to prepare for the next Serie A fixture. Spalletti confirmed that he’ll likely pick a three-man defence for his first game in charge, but the aim is to work on a four-man defence going forward. Regardless of the tactics, however, Spalletti insisted that his players will have to show an appropriate attitude during games and training sessions: “We all know that coaches depend on the footballers. Coaches can be good, but the players’ quality makes the difference.” The Tuscan tactician called for “attention, work, availability to become friends inside the dressing room because it’s always through co-operation, passion and friendship that any team, in any sport, can go to the next level.”

The Italian tactician added that he’ll try to instil his attacking mentality in the team: “When you go on the pitch, it is fundamental to win games. However, given that football is also a show, one tries to make a good product, a product of quality for those watching,” he said.

“You [journalists] are also looking for new words. New words don’t tire the mind. On the contrary, doing the same things flattens people’s creativity. So we are looking for something beautiful to see. I’ve always perceived this atmosphere and quality in this stadium. But first of all, we must win on the pitch and then talk about something else.”

Luciano Spalletti head coach of SSC Napoli reacts during the Serie A match between Udinese Calcio and SSC Napoli at Dacia Arena on May 04, 2023 in Udine, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)

Napoli

Spalletti hit back at criticism from Naples as fans and media argued the Italian tactician had promised he’d not coach any other club in Italy. The 66-year-old explained that the option not to join any other club in Italy was only valid for 2023-24, after which he was “free” to take on different professional avenues. It was the only moment in the press conference where the Italian tactician slightly raised his voice: “Those who use this situation to attack me, decontextualise it from reality, and you can understand their intentions.” Spalletti insisted that he maintains a solid bond with Napoli and their fans and even revealed that he received the blood draw for this morning’s medical test from the right arm because on the left one, he has a tattoo he had had after winning the Scudetto with the Partenopei in 2023.

Players’ management

Vlahovic’s management was a big talking point during Igor Tudor’s reign as well. Vlahovic’s contract expires at the end of the season, and he’s unlikely to sign a new deal. The striker’s transfer situation technically poses a challenge for the Juventus coach as well, but Spalletti argued that he’d rely on the ex-Fiorentina striker as long as he shows the right attitude. “With Vlahovic, it’s easy. I have to talk to him. I haven’t received any restrictions from the club regarding any player. I’ll see what he will do and his responses. Based on the last game against Udinese, he has clear intentions, and that behaviour fixes everything because he played an excellent game.” Spalletti also spoke about Teun Koopmeiners, who has been used in multiple roles, but hasn’t yet justified his €60m price tag. Spalletti revealed that he tried to bring the Dutchman to Napoli in the past, suggesting that he thinks highly of the Dutchman, who can play either as a holding or box-to-box midfielder.

TURIN, ITALY – OCTOBER 29: Dusan Vlahovic of Juventus FC celebrates a goal during the Serie A match between Juventus FC and Udinese Calcio at on October 29, 2025 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images)

Juventus’ target

Spalletti insisted that Juventus can still fight for the title if they improve their results this season. Although the minimum objective will be to qualify for the Champions League, the Certaldo-born tactician also fuelled Juventus’ Scudetto ambitions: “I hope I can get back and be involved in the race for the Scudetto. It’s what we were discussing with the players yesterday,” he said.

“We must aim for the top, and in this case, the top is the title race. Nine games have been played, still 29 to go. Many games. I’ve seen any sort of thing in my over 30-year career. I don’t see why I should settle. I have absolute respect for the quality of these players.

“I’ve watched many Serie A games this season, and I didn’t see many teams dominating. I watched the last games of Inter and Napoli, who I consider among the best-equipped. They also lost some games,” Spalletti added.

“We are not in a condition to be arrogant about anything. So we must have absolute respect for everyone. I don’t like mottos; the message must always come from the ball on the turf, that’s the right way to talk.”