Igor Tudor, who answered the SOS call from former sporting director Cristiano Guintoli to return to the club for a third time, achieved his goal of securing Champions League next term.
He was originally lured as a quick-fix solution after Project Motta started to collapse, and his no-nonsense approach was urgently required as the squad was going into freefall.
Tudor was given nine Serie A games as interim boss, arriving when the club were fifth.
A dramatic last-day 3-2 victory over Venezia inside Stadio Pier Luigi Penzo, who were subsequently relegated, was enough to squeeze into a coveted fourth spot to earn the riches of Champions League soccer.
Rivals fell by wayside
Given the last stretch of games to oversee worked in Tudor’s favor. AS Roma, Bologna, Fiorentina and Lazio were Juve’s rivals for the last top-four berth, but all slipped up in the final run-in.
Tudor hammered home the importance of adding purpose to their pressing play as well as moving the ball more creativity and quicker.
The squad he inherited included plenty of misfits, who were dubious signings from Thiago Motta, and a defensive injury crisis left the Bianconeri appearing vulnerable in many matches.
Yet Tudor only truly defeated clubs that they were expected to beat. He collected five triumphs during his stint as interim head coach, all against teams from the bottom half of the table.
He only tasted one defeat, the shock reversal at Parma when he was tactically outmanoeuvred by manager Cristian Chivu.
The tactical nous and attractive 3-5-2 formation from Chivu has since earned him the Inter Milan role, after Juve target Simone Inzaghi switched to the mega-bucks Saudi Pro League.
Tudor avoided defeats in key matches, overseeing draws by AS Roma, Bologna and Lazio.
Ground out results
His overall record for the nine matches was pretty impressive, but none of the games were awe-inspiring or particularly attractive on the eye. He was grinding out results, rather than bringing entertainment to Serie A.
He played hard ball after the Venezia victory, trying to push the club hierarchy to appoint him before the cash-rich FIFA Club World Cup.
With former Juve icon Giorgio Chiellini back at the club as a decision-maker, he was expected to try and lure his former coach Antonio Conte to return to Turin.
Conte, who won three Serie A titles on the bounce at Juventus, had just won the Scudetto with Napoli but there were rumblings of discontent. He snubbed the Bianconeri, as they were unable to guarantee him money to buy players.
Tudor was given the nod to take over the permanent role, as a cheaper option than other potential candidates like ex-Italy manager Roberto Mancini and former Barcelona boss Xavi.
Strange squad decision
His next test was the cash-rich Club World Cup. Tudor’s 35-strong contingent included Juventus Next Gen players, returning loanees and even some that could not possibly play because they were injured.
Despite the inclusion of FC Porto loanee Francisco Conceicao, who stands at a diminutive 1.66m, Juve boasted the tallest squad.
The Opta supercomputer took the Bianconeri’s superior average height into account to rank Juventus as the ninth most likely team to lift the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup.
Straightforward successes were anticipated against UAE Pro League’s Al-Ain FC and Morocco heavyweights Wydad AC before the crunch clash with defending champions Manchester City to complete the group games.
It was a dream first-half against Al-Ain FC, but after the interval Juve were insipid, but scored a comfortable 5-0 win to top Group G.
Wydad AC, who have never succeeded outside Africa, gave Juve some nervous moments but ended up losing 4-1. This flattering scoreline instilled some self belief into Tudor's troops.
City clash disaster
There were changes before the City contest, partly to rest the big guns and partly down to Samuel Mbangula and Timothy Weah being offered to Nottingham Forest.
Juve’s defensive frailties, which had been exposed in their previous matches, were punished by a makeshift City side.
Shotstopper Michele Di Gregorio had to be on toes to prevent what could have been an embarrassing final scoreline against Real Madrid. He produced 10 superb saves as Juve whimpered out of the tournament 1-0.
What appeared on paper to be a bonding exercise ended up with Tudor generally sticking with his favorites, which ruffled a few feathers.
It was a labored Club World Cup campaign for Juventus, which must surely have disappointed so many of their legions of fans. Yet the club hit the jackpot financially by netting €32 million (US$37.5m) from their participation.
Defensive lacking, little midfield service to set up goal-scoring opportunities and lame displays against City and Real was a reality check at how poor Juventus are.
Tudor mimics Motta
Tudor promised a summer revamp, following in the footsteps of Motta last year by wanting a clear-out. This a seemingly dangerous path for Juventus to repeat, as major mistakes were made for Project Motta.
Like Motta, Tudor has just one favored formation. When that gets found out by opponents then heads dip and results wane. Motta lost four of his final six games at Juve, which resulted in being given the boot.
Motta was given big bucks to bring in top-notch players, but many have been flops. Fast forward to Tudor and he has his hands tied as Juventus are cash-strapped.
He has a tough task ahead, with only a small transfer kitty to play with until they can offload some of the big earners to generate some spending money.
There is no lack of appreciation for what Tudor has achieved in a short space of time, especially the much-need additional revenue by qualifying for the Champions League.
Change of heart
He is hard to please, but has made U-turns about both Conceicao and Dusan Vlahovic.
Tudor reluctantly recalled FC Porto loanee Conceicao to the starting line-up, with the Portuguese winger dazzling. His days as a Juve player appeared to be numbered, but now the club are pushing to sign him on a permanent basis.
Vlahovic, who was championed by Tudor as the best Serie A striker around, soon fell out of favor after failing to deliver.
His stand-off with the club about being moved on, unless he gets an opportunity at a club he selects or is handed severance pay, has been an unpleasant saga for Juventus.
Atalanta, Genoa and Inter Milan are teams known for developing young talent. The way things stand, unless Juve dip into the transfer market, Tudor will have to follow suit by elevating Next Gen players.
Unwanted players, including veterans who are beyond their sell-by date, appear to be the only realistic transfer targets. The speculation about splashing the cash on star names is implausible.
Positivity from Tudor
Tudor’s positivity is a bonus. Yet he needs to turn drab displays into dynamic performances, because these will not be tolerated by fans and the club unless results are astonishingly good.
Juve are unquestionably weighed down by their club’s identity and expectation of constantly winning matches and trophies, but their glory days are long gone.
The race for the Scudetto is one thing, but the lucrative Champions League is quite another with a global audience. Poor results will be derided in either competition.
Bookmakers have the Serie A title down to just four clubs next term, with the wise money on Napoli ahead of Inter Milan. Juventus are generously placed as third favorites and AC Milan lie in fourth.
The odds of Tudor surviving the entire season at Juventus seems to be pretty low. Unless he is willing to be less single-minded at the club, urgently needing to be more amenable and flexible with both his tactical approach and choice of starters.