Manager with a winning mentality should stand out to Juve

Igor Tudor is far from safe at Juventus, despite an unbeaten run this season in both the Champions League and Serie A.
Xavi was in the mix to take over the reins at Juventus before Igor Tudor was promoted to permanent head coach
Xavi was in the mix to take over the reins at Juventus before Igor Tudor was promoted to permanent head coach | Fran Santiago/GettyImages

However, four draws on the spin are not the kind of results that suit an elite club like the Bianconeri who possess a winning mentality.

This is a similar scenario to Thiago Motta, who started his stint with some impressive results before goals dried up and so he resorted to not losing matches rather than being ruthless.

Project Motta lasted nine months before the axe was wielded, with troubleshooter Tudor appointed on a short-term basis to achieve Champions League soccer by finishing in the top four. He was preferred over former Italy manager Roberto Mancini in late March.

Tudor achieved his task, helped by rival clubs slipping up in the final league run-in, and then played hard ball to push the Juventus hierarchy to appoint him on a permanent basis.

There were other serious options considered to become manager that included Roberto De Zerbi, Gian Piero Gasperini, Mancini and ex-Barcelona boss Xavi.

De Zerbi stayed put at Olympique Marseille and Gasperini switched from Atalanta to AS Roma while Mancini and Xavi remain without a club.

Juve have tough games ahead

Should Juventus stutter against Serie A table-toppers AC Milan at the Allianz Stadium tonight, then it may not be too long before there is serious consideration about a change of head coach at Juventus.

Especially as the Bianconeri’s next matches are tricky following the international break, when they will travel to Como for league action followed by the daunting task of tackling Real Madrid at the Bernabeu in the Champions League.

Should Juve’s dismal run continue against Milan, Como and Real Madrid then Tudor’s position could become untenable.

Former Arsenal scout Damion Comolli, the Juventus general manager who arrived from Toulouse in June, will surely already have his eye on managers currently plying their trade in Ligue 1 should it be necessary to bring in a new head coach.

Xavi won trophies as a coach

Xavi impressed during at the Nou Camp, guiding Barcelona to La Liga and Supercopa de Espana trophies. He played under notable managers like  Luis Enrique and Pep Guardiola, so possessing the knowledge and relevant tools to become a good coach beckons.

Although the Saudi Pro League could be a great fit, the Spanish tactician prefers to re-establish himself in one of Europe’s big five leagues. 

He is constantly linked with a move to Manchester United if the Premier League club decide to part ways with manager Ruben Amorim, but the former midfielder could ultimately be an interesting opportunity for the Turin titans if Tudor is given the boot for the fifth time in his career.

Tudor has yet to spend a lengthy time at any club in a coaching role. He has regularly vacated his role as head coach, including being given the boot four times by PAOK, Galatasaray and Udinese on top of being axed by Juventus as assistant coach to Andrea Pirlo.