By Martin Graham
Luciano Spalletti has officially extended his stay at Juventus by signing a new two-year agreement, putting an end to any possibility of him taking over the Italy national team. The experienced coach had been mentioned as a candidate for the role after Gennaro Gattuso stepped down last week, following Italy’s failure to qualify for a third straight men’s World Cup.
The 67-year-old only arrived in Turin in October on a short-term arrangement after Igor Tudor was dismissed. Despite the initial temporary nature of his appointment, his influence was felt quickly across the squad and the wider club structure.
Juventus chief executive Damien Comolli praised the impact Spalletti has made since his arrival, highlighting the positive changes seen within the team and the broader Bianconeri environment. According to Comolli, it quickly became evident that Spalletti was the ideal figure to guide the club forward and support its ongoing development.
Journey from Napoli triumph to Juventus role
Before 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 departed the club later that summer to take charge of the Italian national side, marking a new chapter in his career.
However, his time with Italy did not bring the expected success. After reaching the round of 16 at Euro 2024, his tenure came to an end in June 2025 following a heavy 3-0 defeat to Norway in a World Cup qualifying match.
Interestingly, Spalletti had previously stated in March of last year that Napoli would be the final Italian club he would manage. His move to Juventus therefore represents a change in that stance, as he returned to club football once again.
Juventus chasing Champions League spot
On the field, Juventus remain in contention for a top-four finish in Serie A. The team currently sits in fifth place with 57 points, just one point shy of the Champions League qualification positions.
With seven matches still to be played, the club remains 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 objective.
