Tudor confirms Juventus transfer request, but Club World Cup opponents ‘unpredictable’ | OneFootball

Igor Tudor confirms Juventus will need three signings to be ‘competitive’ next season and insists the Bianconeri have not set a minimum target at the Club World Cup, where opponents will be ‘unpredictable.’

Tudor spoke at a press conference to preview the imminent Club World Cup game against Al-Ain.

It will be played at the Audi Field in Washington at 21:00 LT on June 18 (03:00 CEST on Thursday, 19 June).

Tudor has already taken charge of nine Juventus games after replacing Thiago Motta in March, so he doesn’t feel the Bianconeri are beginning a new chapter.

Tudor never felt on the brink at Juventus

TURIN, ITALY – APRIL 27: Igor Tudor, Head Coach of Juventus, embraces Timothy Weah following 2-0 victory after the Serie A match between Juventus and Monza at Allianz Stadium on April 27, 2025 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images)

“I wouldn’t define it that way. It’s more of a continuation,” he said via Gazzetta.

“The team is the same, except for Rugani and Kostic, who have returned from loan. It’s an advantage to keep working with players who have already absorbed our methods in recent months. We’re not starting from scratch; there’s a foundation of work behind us that helps a lot. There are certainly fewer things that the players don’t already know. I know the boys well, both on a human and professional level.”

Tudor’s contract was automatically stretched to 2026 after he secured Champions League qualification, but the Croat signed a further extension to 2027 last week.

“I’ve never felt there was a sense of uncertainty in the team,” he said.

“Everyone has always been very clear to me. Perhaps, from the outside, it seemed different, but I can assure you that I’ve always felt comfortable, and the boys have been exceptional in terms of professionalism and willingness to sacrifice. I was in a mental bubble, really focused.”

Juventus owner John Elkann met the team in Turin last week before flying out to the USA.

“He was our motivation; he came to visit us at Continassa to encourage us to attend the Club World Cup with the ambition to win,” said Tudor.

“He was very clear. I saw him full of energy; he delivered strong, Juventus-style messages and the players appreciated that.”

Juventus have been placed in Group G with Al-Ain, Wydad AC and Manchester City.

“Everything is new, so it’s hard to form an opinion. We don’t know our opponents well, and the competition is still to be discovered,” said Tudor.

Tudor on Club World Cup and Juventus transfers

BOLOGNA, ITALY – MAY 04: Igor Tudor, Head Coach of Juventus, looks on prior to the Serie A match between Bologna and Juventus at Stadio Renato Dall’Ara on May 04, 2025 in Bologna, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)

“As we go forward, we’ll have a clear idea, but we haven’t set a minimum target. I’ve never fixated on that. We just focus on our work and ourselves.

“These are teams we can’t underestimate. They come from leagues that aren’t widely followed, but they know how to win. It’s not easy to prepare for a match against clubs you know so little about. We’ve studied them, but they remain unpredictable. That’s why we need to be highly focused. We have to go full throttle. Ultimately, it’s us against ourselves.”

Speaking about his approach as coach, Tudor added: “I like pressing. Everyone does it now. It’s great to push forward, but you also have to track back. You shouldn’t give anything up. Football is increasingly demanding; you can’t be superficial. You need to be open-minded and not let yourself be boxed in by the labels people put on you.”

Lastly, the Croat confirmed that Juventus will need three signings to be credible title contenders in the 2025-26 season.

“I still believe in it. With three new signings, the team becomes competitive,” he reiterated.

“Plus, an important player like Bremer will return. He’s training with us here in the USA, alongside Cabal. I’m happy with my players, and the club will do its best. I’m confident that we’ll be stronger than we were last year.”