Mark Iuliano, former Juventus defender from the late ’90s and early 2000s, recently shared his thoughts on the current state of the Bianconeri, coach Igor Tudor, and the club’s future in an exclusive interview with TuttoJuve.com journalist Mirko Di Natale. Iuliano, who knows Tudor personally, offered candid insights into the team’s progress, the impact of the coach, and what lies ahead for Juventus.
“Juventus Played Well, They Deserved the Win”
Reflecting on Juventus’ recent performance, Iuliano said:
“Juventus played well, I saw them control the pitch and achieve their goal of winning the match. They hardly conceded anything, and in the end, the result was all that mattered and they earned it. The response to their Champions League rivals was concrete; now it’s on to Venice to close the deal for good.”
On Tudor: “He Earned His Chance”
When asked about Igor Tudor, Iuliano was full of praise:
“I’m very happy for Igor and for Juve. The win against Udinese is another step forward towards the Champions League. He’s doing the job he was asked to do despite a thousand difficulties, injuries, and suspensions. He’s shown once again that he’s a great coach, and I hope he has a wonderful career. That’s what he deserves.”
“He Should Have Arrived Sooner”
Discussing Tudor’s impact, Iuliano remarked:
“He should have arrived sooner, that’s the truth. In such a short time, he’s done an excellent job. He took over a team that was unfocused, mean-spirited, and fragile. With daily work, he’s managed to put things back in order. Now, the team is more vertical and his Juve pushes forward looking for goals. Maybe they don’t have energy for the whole match, but that’s due to previous work, not Igor’s. I think the players are back at a good level, but you can’t cure the patient overnight. Surely, with him, Juve is on the road to recovery.”
“If It’s Igor or Conte, Juventus Will Do Well”
Looking ahead to the future, Iuliano said:
“I don’t really know what will happen, but I prefer to say I’m proud of him and his work. He’s an extraordinary person, knows how to handle a locker room, and understands the players. I’ve worked with him and know his style well. If he had arrived earlier, we’d be talking about a different season. Igor has done brilliantly, and I’m proud Juve chose him.”
When asked if he’d like to see Tudor stay, Iuliano was clear:
“If the club continues with Igor, I’m sure Juve would have a great season. Compared to many names I’ve read, I’d always choose him, without a doubt. He’s earned the big chance to coach this club.”
But what if Juventus chose Antonio Conte instead?
“If Juventus decided on Antonio (Conte), let’s just say they’d do well either way. He and Igor are both top coaches; whichever way it goes, Juve would be in good hands.”
“Top Players Must Fit the Project”
On the topic of strengthening the squad, Iuliano agreed with Tudor’s view that a few key signings could make Juventus even stronger:
“The important players are the ones who fit the coach’s needs, not just the most expensive ones. Of course, Juventus should have top players, but they must be essential to the project, not just expensive names. If I had to lose Vlahovic, I’d go for Osimhen, who can do everything. I don’t know his price or salary, but I’d take him tomorrow. In midfield, I’d vote for Tonali. And we had Thuram on the bench—I still don’t understand why. Thankfully, Igor arrived…”
“Koopmeiners the Biggest Disappointment, Praise for Nico Gonzalez”
When asked about the biggest disappointment of the season, Iuliano replied:
“Douglas Luiz is a question mark for me, because he either played five or ten minutes or was injured. You can’t really judge him. I say to players who are paid a lot like him: let us see you. A sore spot is Koopmeiners; I feel sorry for the guy, but he hasn’t done well and I already had doubts about him. On the other hand, I want to say something nice about Nico Gonzalez, who some called useless, but with Igor he’s proving to be a player who can lead the line. I was a skeptic, but with a different coach, I’ve changed my mind. Vlahovic? He tries hard and is very committed, but he’s been struggling for a while. It’s not just about goals; I never felt the ball was safe with him. There’s also the contract situation, so let’s see what his next challenge will be.”
