Spalletti at Juventus: Totti backs a championship-worthy coaching move

Spalletti emerges as Juventus' top coaching option

Francesco Totti, the Italian football legend and former Roma captain, believes Luciano Spalletti would be an excellent signing for Juventus should they pursue him after Igor Todor was dismissed following three straight defeats and eight winless matches.

Spalletti has risen as Juventus' leading candidate behind the Croatian coach Todor’s departure. The move would mark a high-stakes gamble for a club seeking stability amid a rough spell in domestic and European competitions.

Totti, speaking to the Italian press, noted that Spalletti is among the rumored names, and he argues that Juventus would benefit from signing a coach who has consistently delivered strong results wherever he has coached in the past.

Past tensions between Totti and Spalletti were publicly aired at the end of the 2016-2017 season when retirement comments were exchanged, yet it appears the pair have refined their relationship in recent years, paving the way for a potential reunion on the Juventus bench.

“A lot has changed over the years, and our friendship has endured,” Totti reportedly said. “We’ve discussed things again, and I’m happy with what we achieved together.”

A recap of the current turmoil shows Juventus losing ground after Tudor’s exit, with multiple defeats and a failure to score in several matches. The club has entered a downturn that includes a recent loss to Lazio and lingering questions about their form in Serie A and Europe.

Reports indicate Juventus is ready to negotiate with Spalletti, with director Damian Komoli and other officials preparing terms that could extend through the season with an option to extend if Champions League football is secured. Other names discussed include Roberto Mancini and Raffaele Baldini as contingency options if a deal with Spalletti stalls.

Spalletti’s career spans Napoli, Inter, Roma (twice), Zenit Saint Petersburg, Udinese, Empoli, Ancona, and the Italian national team, which he led in 24 matches from September 2023 to June 2024. His trophy haul includes two Italian Cups, one Italian Super Cup, two Russian Cups, plus league titles with Napoli in 2023 and a respected reputation for building teams capable of competing at the top level.

Buffon, in conversation about Spalletti, praised him as the right character for a big club and lauded his experience, charisma, and leadership. The veteran goalkeeper suggested Spalletti remains the best option available for Juventus given the current need for direction and consistency.

Should an agreement be reached, Juventus would enter new territory in their coaching history, and Spalletti would become the thirteenth manager of a club known for dramatic seasons and a relentless search for silverware.

Punchline time: If Spalletti signs, Juventus might finally sip from the cup of glory instead of a mug of hype. And if it goes south, at least the negotiations will have more plot twists than a transfer window—talk about drama with a dash of espresso.