Juve are an elite team, who are annually expected to be in the mix to win the Scudetto as well as make progress in the Champions League.
Tudor was an uninspiring summer appointment, which was clearly made on the proviso of being the cheaper option compared to installing Antonio Conte, Roberto Mancini, Simone Inzaghi, Xavi and even Gian Piero Gasperini.
Conte stayed put after leading Napoli to another Scudetto, following Inter Milan’s last-gasp slip ups. Gasperini is paid handsomely at AS Roma, following a lengthy spell at Atalanta to make them fiercely competitive. Both Mancini and Xavi rremain free. Inzaghi was lured to Saudi Arabia, where he has been a hit with Al-Hilal.
Tudor appears to be a ticking timebomb to make an unceremonious exit from the Turin titans once more.
Although he has only tasted one defeat at the helm, the shock 1-0 league defeat to Parma last season, his penchant for not losing matches rather than winning them is the main reason for one day being given the heave-ho.
Five draws on the spin has not helped his cause. His tactical approach is set in stone with a 3-4-2-1 formation, making it easy for opponents to tackle Juventus. This campaign has seen bizarre substitutions and constant rotations, which are a reminder of the demise of former manager Thiago Motta.
Tactical approach not working at Juve
Aimlessly swapping players during the second half alters the set-up and unsettles the squad members. The recent introduction of rotation is a surprise but follows his stubbornness to only stick to his favorite players, and then cite tiredness as an excuse for an underperforming team display.
The club could soon be seeking their third head coach over the period of a season and a half, but this time may have learned their lesson from opting for mediocrity. Tudor draws a parallel with Motta by swiftly dispensing with experienced internationals as well as allowing a plethora of Juventus Next Gen graduates to leave.
Developing youngsters is what the Bianconeri should be considering for a rosy future. Letting defender Dean Huijsen to leave for AFC Bournemouth was a major mistake, with the Juventus Next Gen standout switching to Real Madrid after just one Premier League season.
Juve’s next head coach needs to often more than Tudor, who is basically a quick-fix troubleshooter on a short-term basis. The 47-year-old Croatian has a chequered managerial record, failing to last at any club for a lengthy period, and could well add Juventus to his list again.
Juve gambled on Motta and Tudor
The Bianconeri took a gamble with Motta, whose penchant to settle for draws was a main reason for his dismissal. Other factors, which echo Tudor’s current approach, plus the fact that the team seemed to down tools and not play for their boss brought Project Motta crashing down after nine months.
Fast forward to Tudor, who has not lost a match this term but seriously lacks the ability to deliver eye-catching performances. Juventus have been the subject of drama rather than entertainment in both Serie A and the Champions League, courtesy of plenty of fortunate goals and individual brilliance.
His days seem numbered unless the Bianconeri can bounce back following the international break with a long overdue victory. They face back-to-back trips at Como and Real Madrid, which could be viewed as a make-or-break scenario for Tudor’s tenure.
There are not many top-class managerial candidates available that fit Juve’s requirements, which for Tudor included the commodity of being a cheap option. His two-year deal offers an annual salary of €3 million (US$3.5m).
Cesc Fabregas
Como boss Cesc Fabregas, whose wages are €1m (US$1.17m) a season, would be the obvious option for Juventus if they don’t want to splash the cash. He is unproven at the highest level, despite his impressive Serie A season last year by steering Como to a 10th-place finish.
The former Arsenal star is a shareholder at cash-rich Como, who spent more than Juventus during the summer. Fabregas is still trying to get his team firing on all cylinders, and once they do Como could prove to be a real threat to the usual suspects in the chase for a top four finish.
Fabregas would be a gamble, like Motta was, as he has yet to win a trophy. Juve’s expectations are high, which include winning silverware. Expecting to do so with Tudor and indeed Fabregas is a fanciful dream rather than a reality. The Italian giants should regard the Frenchman as one to watch for the future, rather than risk another head coach failure.
Roberto Mancini
Wily Mancini is a serial winner but has not coached in Serie A for a very long time. He is also a risky appointment, despite his brilliance on the international stage with Italy, because he was a disaster at Saudi Arabia yet still draws a sizeable salary after leaving. He has the tactical nous in the Italian top tier, although things have moved on since he was a Serie A manager.
As Azzurri boss he ruled the eye over Italian teams and players, so is aware of their tactics on top of the pros and cons of numerous players. His knowledge would be fantastic for transfers as well as setting up his side for each opponent. on an interim basis last March, with Tudor the less demanding and cheaper option.
He didn’t get a look in when Tudor was unveiled as permanent manager in June, and Mancini should have been given a second shot with Italy rather than Gennaro Gattuso being appointed. Would be an asset at Juventus if they can afford him.
Xavi
Xavi has been patiently sitting on the sidelines, having turned down approaches from the Saudi Pro League as he wishes to coach a European giant. There are always jobs at Premier League minnows, but with his pedigree he is only considers a leading club as his next managerial move.
His time at Barcelona ended abruptly, which sends alarm bells to top teams. He sets up sides with an attractive style of play that is focused on flowing attacks and looking to win every match.
Xavi’s winning mentality matches Juve’s DNA, which points towards the Spaniard being a strong candidate. He could replicate what Mikel Arteta has achieved at Arsenal over the past few years, and now the Londoners have finally invested in a consistent center forward to top the Premier League table.
Zinedine Zidane
Zinedine Zidane, who picked up the 1998 Ballon d’Or accolade during his five-year spell at Juventus, has an outstanding managerial record from his two stints at Real Madrid.
Zidane has not coached since leaving Madrid four years ago, and has publicly stated that one day he would like to take over the reins of the France national side once his former Juve team-mate Didier Deschamp vacates the role.
Yet he has not discounted himself from ever taking charge of Juventus, which would be an expensive acquisition for the Bianconeri with very high expectations of a team used to winning matches.
Tudor has a chance to prove his worth when Juventus travel to Como and Madrid for their next two games. One victory would be enough to get fans and pundits on his side.
Failure to seal at least a triumph from these daunting trips will leave a huge question mark hanging over his suitability for the Juventus job. There are four main candidates biting at the bit for such a prestigious role, with plenty of others who would love the opportunity to become the next Juve head coach.