The club may find it tricky attracting a new head coach should they sack Igor Tudor, as they can expect a penalty from UEFA over FPP (Financial Fair Play) next year if found guilty of violating the Football Earning Rule.
UEFA has opened up a case for the potential breach in the three-year period covering the 2022/23, 2023/24 and 2024/25 seasons. Worse than a hefty fine would be a restriction of signing players for the 2026/27 campaign, especially as Tudor is not entirely happy with the squad he inherited last March.
Project Motta lasted just nine months of an ambitious three-year plan, while Tudor’s tenure is being questioned after just six Serie A games and two Champions League matches.
Juventus simply have not been a force to be reckoned with for some considerable time, despite always being in the mix for a top four finish that earns a berth in the lucrative Champions League.
Tudor, who signed a two-year deal in June, has yet to lose this term but five stalemates on the spin indicates that the one-time Juve defender lacks the winning mentality DNA of the Turin titans in a coaching capacity.
If he does not turn things around soon then he will not last the course, and may be gone by the time the winter transfer opens. There are four main candidates who could be ready to fill Tudor’s shoes at Juventus, a trio of expensive acquisitions and Como boss Cesc Fabregas.
Juventus managers spent big bucks
Any new manager obviously wishes to have the squad he savors. Both Thiago Motta and Tudor dispensed with plenty of unwanted players, and spent big bucks on some who turned out to be flops.
Should a UEFA ban on bringing in new faces next summer, the managerial role suddenly becomes unattractive as a head coach is limited to his resources.
Former Juventus president Andrea Agnelli is once more rumored to be showing serious interest in becoming the club’s majority shareholder and owner, potentially with the help of financial backers.
However, he would need to acquire shares from Exor, the Agnelli’s family holding company, which is run by his cousin John Elkann.
Agnelli is believed to be working behind the scenes on a consortium to buy Juventus from Elkann, which is an ambitious although viable goal.
Continuous underwhelming results, on top of the fact that the past two managers have splashed the cash, plus the UEFA investigation, could result in a sale of the club by the Exor group.
Tudor's tenure is lacklustre
Juve fans will recall nine Serie A trophies on the bounce under Agnelli. This is a far cry from the current mediocrity served up by Tudor, who was always an uninspired choice as head coach
Agnelli would be looking to shake things up at Juve, especially if he had funding from either Red Bull or Saudi Arabia. A top-notch coach, rather than someone like Tudor whose record is average at best, would be a priority.
Roberto De Zerbi, a previous managerial target for the Bianconeri, and Jurgen Klopp would both be an ideal candidate under a new era for Juventus.
Former Sassuolo manager De Zerbi, currently at Olympique Marseille, has Serie A knowledge. His eye-catching and entertaining style of play is effective and garners the kind of results expected at an elite club.
Klopp would be a catch for Juve
Yet if energy drinks giant Red Bull are behind Agnelli’s ambitious goal, then ex-Liverpool manager Klopp would most likely be appointed by the Bianconeri.
The German is coordinator of football activities for the Red Bull group, having indicated that he has no plans to return to the dugout, but could be tempted for a shot with the fallen Italian giants.
Yet there will be no need to bring in either De Zerbi or Klopp if Juventus already have one of their expensive targets at the helm. Former Italy head coach Roberto Mancini, ex-Barcelona boss Xavi and Zinedine Zidane are already genuine candidates to take over the reins from Tudor in due course.
Although if the timing was right then Zidane could be offered the opportunity to replace his former Juventus team-mate Didier Deschamps as France manager, which would be a seamless change for both France and at the Bianconeri with De Zerbi or Klopp introduced.