Igor Tudor has been interim manager since replacing axed Thiago Motta in March. He wanted to earn the role on a permanent basis, but the club hierarchy is waiting to judge him on how Juventus fare in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup.
The Bianconeri face Al-Ain FC from the UAE Pro League, Moroccan side Wydad AC and Manchester City in the group phase. Juventus can pick up €1.85m ($2m) for each round-robin victory, €0.92m ($1m) for a draw but nothing for a defeat.
Their exploits at the cash-rich Club World Cup will not only determine who Juve appoint as boss for the next Lega Serie A season, but also the players they can afford to bring in as there is an amazing amount of prize money up for grabs.
With the complete Serie A fixture list released yesterday, Juve have learned that they will kick-off their season at home to Parma. Cristian Chivu is on the verge of leaving Parma, who could appoint Motta to take over the reins.
Chivu is expected to be announced as the new Inter Milan manager, after head coachJuve target Simone Inzaghi joined Al-Hilal in the Saudi Pro League.
Juve’s opening away game of the new term will be at Genoa, before hosting rivals Inter Milan in their third league match. If Chivu is in charge, he will be expected to maintain the highly successful tactical system employed by Inzaghi.
Challenging opponents
Following a trip to Hellas Verona for matchday 4, Juventus face back-to-back home games against Atalanta and AC Milan. Both teams have new head coaches.
Ivan Juric, a flop at AS Roma and Southampton last season, has been appointed at Atalanta. While Max Allegri is at AC Milan, having landed his first job since his unceremonious exit from Juve after winning the 2023/24 Coppa Italia.
Juve will have a lot to prove during the 2025/26 Serie A season, following their rollercoaster ride last term. Project Motta came crashing down after nine months, with a handful of expensive signings failing badly.
The Bianconeri scraped through to earn a Champions League berth that was secured by a last day 3-2 victory at Venezia, who were relegated to Serie B.
Defensive priority
Stuttering displays by rivals ensured that Juventus managed a top four finish, although the Bianconeri's performances lacked flair with Tudor placing the onus on a solid defensive display.
There remains a lot of uncertainty around Juve going into the upcoming campaign, with the Club World Cup the first opportunity to see Tudor’s tactics outside the domestic Italian top tier.
With the Champions League being so lucrative, the Club World Cup is an audition as to whether Tudor can cut the mustard at Italy's most supported team.
The Croatian could be elevated to permanent manager, but the club hierarchy will surely not want to take a gamble like they did with Motta. The 47-year-old has a chance to prove his worth at the Club World Cup.
Waiting game
There are safer hands available for Juve. These include Lille OSC head coach Bruno “Pep” Genesio, former Italian manager Roberto Mancini and ex-Barcelona boss Xavi. The trio will no doubt be monitoring Tudor's results at the Club World Cup.
Although superagent Jorge Mendes has surprisingly been touting his client, Fulham head coach Marco Silva, as a potential candidate. The Portuguese journeyman has not managed to steer Fulham any higher than to tenth in his three Premier League campaigns, so an unlikely appointment for the Turin titans.
Whoever is in charge of Juventus will start the Serie A season over the weekend of 23-24 August. This campaign includes two midweek matchdays, scheduled for 29 October and 6 January. There will be four international breaks comprising 7 September, 12 October, 16 November and 29 March.
The Derby della Mole, at the Stadio Olimpico Grande Torino, will signal the end of the Serie A season over the weekend of 23-24 May. With Juve's goal for the forthcoming season to be in the mix to win the Scudetto.
JUVENTUS 2025/26 SERIE A FIXTURE LIST
Matchday 1
Juventus vs Parma
Matchday 2
Genoa vs Juventus
Matchday 3
Juventus vs Inter Milan
Matchday 4
Hellas Verona vs Juventus
Matchday 5
Juventus vs Atalanta
Matchday 6
Juventus vs AC Milan
Matchday 7
Como vs Juventus
Matchday 8
Lazio vs Juventus
Matchday 9
Juventus vs Udinese
Matchday 10
Cremonese vs Juventus
Matchday 11
Juventus vs Torino
Matchday 12
Fiorentina vs Juventus
Matchday 13
Juventus vs Cagliari
Matchday 14
Napoli vs Juventus
Matchday 15
Bologna vs Juventus
Matchday 16
Juventus vs AS Roma
Matchday 17
Pisa vs Juventus
Matchday 18
Juventus vs Lecce
Matchday 19
Sassuolo vs Juventus
Matchday 20
Juventus vs Cremonese
Matchday 21
Cagliari vs Juventus
Matchday 22
Juventus vs Napoli
Matchday 23
Parma vs Juventus
Matchday 24
Juventus vs Lazio
Matchday 25
Inter Milan vs Juventus
Matchday 26
Juventus vs Como
Matchday 27
AS Roma vs Juventus
Matchday 28
Juventus vs Pisa
Matchday 29
Udinese vs Juventus
Matchday 30
Juventus vs Sassuolo
Matchday 31
Juventus vs Genoa
Matchday 32
Atalanta vs Juventus
Matchday 33
Juventus vs Bologna
Matchday 34
AC Milan vs Juventus
Matchday 35
Juventus vs Hellas Verona
Matchday 36
Lecce vs Juventus
Matchday 37
Juventus vs Fiorentina
Matchday 38
Torino vs Juventus