The ex-Juve president, who was at the helm from 2006 to 2009, spoke to TuttoJuve about the unceremonious exit of the Bianconeri boss following a dismal run. The club last won in mid-September, and have been unable to find the back of the net for a staggering 394 minutes.
Cobolli Gigli explained: "I hoped that Juve would not sack Igor Tudor, I was really very disappointed by this news. He is a serious person, maybe he found himself fielding those who didn't want to."
"You can't accuse Tudor too much of negative things, because yesterday [at Lazio] the team didn't play badly.
"This is a Juve that had beaten Inter 4-3 and had a good match against Real Madrid, so there is potential. The mood, now, seems to be this: 'let's huddle at court and be ready for death, let's go ahead and try to do something'.
"We need an Italian coach who already knows our reality. Although I don't have great sympathy for Roberto Mancini, who I remember as particularly harsh in his statements during the period when I was president of Juventus, I would opt for him. He seems to me the best of those who are free.
"I wouldn't choose [Luciano] Spalletti because he burned out with the national team, while [Raffaele] Palladino is an interesting coach but I wouldn't risk it. I would make an experienced choice".
Troubleshooter Tudor was trouble
It is believed that Tudor was informed by the club this morning that he would be sacked today, with Juventus releasing an official statement this afternoon that read:
“Juventus FC announces that it has today relieved Igor Tudor of his duties as head coach of the Men's First Team, along with his staff consisting of Ivan Javorcic, Tomislav Rogic and Riccardo Ragnacci.
“The Club also announces that it has temporarily entrusted the Men's First Team to Massimo Brambilla, who will be on the bench for the Juventus-Udinese match on Wednesday evening.
“The Club thanks Igor Tudor and his entire staff for their professionalism and dedication over the past few months and wishes them all the best for their future careers.”
Juventus drew five matches on the spin and then tasted a hat-trick of defeats, with haphazard substitutions leaving the team disorganized and huge gaps in midfield. Tudor's tactics were so poor that even the players were perplexed by his constant swaps.
Tudor was involved in a war of words with Como head coach Cesc Fabregas, had a spat general manager Damien Comolli and was at odds with a handful of his squad that included publicly criticism of players.
It was only a question of when rather than if Tudor would be shown the exit door. He was arguably the most uninspired managerial appointment by Juventus, but was getting arrogant as he expected the trigger to be pulled when the two-week international break started in early November.
All talk from hopeless Tudor
The club hierarchy were no longer prepared to sit back and listen to the empty words from Tudor at press conferences. His coaching career has been a one-trick pony with a favored three defenders and a lone target failing at every Italian club.
Former Juve and Italy star Giorgio Chiellini denied that there was a crisis with Tudor at the helm, but now the club will kick off their search for a new head coach to tackle a rescue mission.
The next manager inherits a squad that is lightweight overall. Juve have picked up just two points from their opening three Champions League ties and are languishing eighth in Serie A but could soon become Scudetto challengers.
There have been numerous names in the mix to take over the reins at the Turin titans, although the trio of OIympique Marseille's Roberto De Zerbi, Fulham's Marco Silva and former Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane are highly unlikely. With outsider Fabregas being monitored for the future rather than switching from cash-rich Como.
Postecoglou and Xavi considered
Bringing in another non-Italian is viable, with Premier League flop Ange Postecoglou and ex-Barcelona boss Xavi offering eye-catching and entertaining tactics that win silverware.
Settling for an Italian head coach seems more probable. Mancini and Spalletti have each coached Italy and lifted the Scudetto, so are well equipped to hit the ground running at Juventus. They both recently turned down lucrative manager jobs, and would surely be an asset with the Bianoneri.
Another gamble, like Juve took with prising Thiago Motta from Bologna and bringing back Tudor who they axed as assistant head coach to Andrea Pirlo in 2021, could be on the cards in the shape of Palladino.
The cheapest and most practical appointment would be to reinstate Motta and his coaches until the end of the season, The Bianconeri are paying them still, so there is the opportunity to tap into their skills and offer the Italian a second shot.
Four Italians in mix for Juventus
It would be a massive gamble to re-appoint Motta, which if it worked out would be viewed as a stroke of genius by the club hierarchy. Yet should the second coming of Project Motta fail then Juventus could become a laughing stock in Serie A.
Palladino came to prominence after excelling at Monza then spent a season at Fiorentina before resigning and leaving by mutual consent last summer. His tactics encompass rapid attacks with versatility, having set up his side to tackle each specific opponent.
Mancini, who was allegedly offered the interim job in March before the club made a U-turn and picked Tudor, boasts an impressive record with league titles in England and Italy as well as lifting the Euro 2020. His last club role was seven years ago, but he may prefer to wait until the summer before taking charge.
Spalletti only left the Azzurri in June and on top of winning two Coppa Italia trophies guided Napoli to the 2022/23 Serie A crown. Constantly offered lucrative contracts in the Saudi Pro League, he is the real deal and would most likely leap at the opportunity to save Juve's season.
Juventus youth team coach Brambilla is likely to be in charge for Saturday's trip to newly-promoted Cremonese, three days after tackling Udinese inside the Allianz Stadium, as the Italian giants' goal will be get the next managerial appointment spot on.
While Maurizio Sarri, once axed by Juventus, will no doubt be pleased to have caused further chaos at his former club with Sunday's 1-0 victory although should have empathy for Tudor.