Igor Tudor, the new head coach of Juventus, officially introduced himself in a press conference today. The Croatian tactician, who replaces Thiago Motta after a disappointing run of results, has signed a contract until the end of the season. Here’s what he had to say about his new role, the team, and his vision for the future.
Opening Remarks
“I would like to greet everyone and thank the director and the entire club for this opportunity to coach such a great team. I don’t want to disappoint anyone; instead, I aim to work well. The emotions are there—Juventus is a club that everyone dreams of coaching. Above all, I have the desire to work hard, do well, and achieve our goals. I believe strongly in this team; we have strong players. There are no excuses—I’ve never looked for them in my life.”
On Dusan Vlahovic
“Dusan is an exceptional player, and I’m happy to coach him. He has all the qualities of a top-class player—he scores goals and is a leader. He’s coming off a challenging period, but we’ve spoken, and he’s eager to start fresh. He can play alongside Kolo Muani. He’s strong—I’ve seen him in action with the national team against Croatia, and I’m glad to have him in the squad.”
On Khephren Thuram
“Yesterday, I spoke with his father, Lilian Thuram. He told me that if Khephren does something wrong, I can slap him! But there’s no need for that—he’s polite, humble, and very strong. I’ve known him since my time at Nice.”
On Kenan Yildiz
“When a player is talented, it’s easy to find a role for him. I’ve seen that all the players are disappointed—they feel responsible for the coaching change—but they’re motivated and eager to restart. Kenan has rare qualities that can make a difference. I’ll try to find the right positions on the field to maximize each player’s potential.”
On His Coaching Philosophy
“I consider myself a coach who started early due to injuries as a player. In my career, I’ve always followed my heart when making decisions. If something feels right, I continue; if not, I go home. Whether or not I have a contract doesn’t change how I work—I give my all regardless. That said, I’d love to stay here for ten years.”
On Leadership and Team Dynamics
“I can’t yet say who will be our leaders on the pitch. It’s true that generations are different—today’s young players have a different culture compared to before when there was more personality. But Juventus has taken a new path with many new players, which can slow down growth. In the end, it doesn’t matter if you’re young or old—at Juventus, you must win. This club has a culture of hard work. Del Piero and Zidane were humble despite their greatness. I remember their incredible drive—it was evident even during warm-ups. This is Juventus, and I need to instill this mentality in our players.”
On Manuel Locatelli as Captain
“Everyone must take responsibility and move in the same direction—even those who play less and may not be as happy. The captain will be Manuel Locatelli; he has the right qualities for this role. My goal is to give the team some freedom from anxiety and excessive pressure while also fostering mental toughness without neglecting tactical aspects.”
On Defense and Tactics
“I’ve played with both three- and four-man defenses, using man-to-man or zonal marking systems. The key is finding the right setup while focusing on style, attitude, and spirit—that’s my job. Hopefully, we’ll see progress quickly within two or three weeks. I want players who enjoy themselves on the pitch—who play to score one more goal than the opponent while also avoiding conceding goals. The work must be complete, including preventive marking to avoid counterattacks.”
On Teun Koopmeiners
“You all know he’s had great seasons in the past but has alternated between good and less impressive performances this year—like the rest of the team. He has great qualities; my job is to help him perform at his best, and I’m confident I will.”
On His Memories of Juventus
“Yesterday, I told Perin about my arrival at Juventus as a player. Once in line for massages, Zidane arrived behind me—I wanted to let him go first, but he refused! Del Piero once scolded me for throwing my socks on the locker room floor because it made extra work for the staff.”
On Facing Genoa
“The fans have always been important and will be again on Saturday—they’ll support us because this team deserves love through good times and bad. It’ll be a tough match; Vieira is doing well with Genoa, and they’re dangerous opponents. We respect them but are aware of our own strengths.”
Final Thoughts on Juventus
“For me, Juventus has been a school of life and football. My years here under Lippi, Capello, and Ancelotti shaped me as a person and professional. It wouldn’t be respectful to comment on those who came before me as coach.”
Tudor’s passion for Juventus is evident as he embarks on this new chapter with high hopes of restoring success at one of football’s most storied clubs. He emphasized the importance of choosing the right people, saying, “Juve is the club that does the right things by choosing the right people. I’ve traveled everywhere, and often I haven’t seen this. You need to choose the right people who do the right work. That’s it. If you choose the wrong people, you won’t do well.”
