After an impressive 3-1 victory over Udinese last night it appears the good news keeps coming for Juventus fans, with the highly respected 66-year-old Spalletti having signed an agreement to become the club's latest manager until the end of June.
Spalletti boasts an impressive coaching resume, but with a blip as Italy manager that kicked off after winning the 2022/23 Scudetto with Napoli and ended last June.
The Bianconeri had gambled on Thiago Motta and Tudor, so required a solid appointment. The club overlooked numerous big name managers, including Roberto Mancini and Gareth Southgate. Former Fiorentina head coach Raffaele Palladino had a courtesy chat with the Juventus hierarchy, and there was even speculation that sacked Motta could reappear until the end of the season.
But what can be gleaned from Spalletti's recent managerial career to suggest he's big enough to face the almighty pressure that comes from leading the Turin titans? Is the Tuscan tactician the best man to finally return the glory days for the fallen Italian giants?
Spalletti career highs and lows
Spalletti turned to coaching after hanging up his boots, having played for Empoli and Spezia, with a five-year spell at Empoli that kicked off in July 1993. He won the Serie C Coppa Italia and led the club to Serie A promotion, which got the Florence-born ex-midfielder noticed.
He coached Sampdoria for the 1998/99 campaign, and only stayed four months at Venezia before returning to Empoli. Innovative coaching earned a hat-trick of qualifying for European action and a fourth-placed finish in 2004/05 to earn a Champions League berth. In between his further stints at Empoli he had a short-lived and forgettable spell with Ancona.
AS Roma was next, and during four seasons he captured two Coppa Italia trophies and one Supercoppa Italiana. He was a wanted man, and switched Serie A for the Russian Premier League giants Zenit Saint Petersburg. Despite lifting two league crowns, a domestic cup trophy and the Russian Super Cup between 2009 -2014, he was given the boot.
Spalletti returned to Roma in the January 2016 and had a public fall out with club legend Francesco Totti, who retired at the end of the season. He set a new Serie A points record, but the tally of 87 was still short of the mighty Juventus, who pipped Roma to the Scudetto.
He joined Inter Milan, who were still finding their feet, for two seasons and finished fourth both times. Those results may appear underwhelming, but Inter were in decline throughout the majority of the 2010s. Spalletti helped Inter's transition into becoming the force they are today by stabilising their Champions League positioning, allowing them to eventually push on and win the title two seasons later under Antonio Conte.
After a short hiatus from managing Spalletti joined Napoli on a two-season deal in 2021. He won his first Serie A title in what was a massive triumph for the city, having last lifted the Scudetto in 1990 when Diego Maradona was at the heart of the team. Going into the season Inter were big favourites, with Spalletti proving he can win as the underdog.
Italy proved too tough to handle
Spalletti's recent appointment as Italy boss was controversial, given the hot seat in August 2023 after Mancini's shock resignation. After narrowly achieving qualification to UEFA Euro 2024, Italy were knocked 2-0 by Switzerland.
A lacklustre and drab tournament performance saw Spalletti under the cosh from Italian fans and pundits, with relentless criticism of his team selection and tactics. Spalletti himself took "responsibility" for Italy's early exit and admitted: "We failed because of my team selection, it is never down to the players."
Despite remaining as coach after receiving harsh criticism, his time as international manager would eventually be short but not sweet. A hefty 3-0 loss to Norway in June threatened Italy's chances of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup finals.
Short-term solution for Juve
The jury is still out on whether Spalletti is the right fit for the culture of the club, having managed and won with fierce rivals Inter and Napoli. Yet here is no doubt Spalletti brings a wealth of experience when it comes to managing in the Serie A.
The blots on his managerial career, especially his underwhelming time with Italy can be overlooked as
Spalletti is a proven winner having lifted the 2022/23 Scudetto. Now he has to win over demanding Juventus fans, with the pressure on his shoulders to salvage their stuttering season.