Juventus supporters greeted newly appointed coach Luciano Spalletti by urging him to reconsider his contentious tattoo. Spalletti, aged 66, has taken over the reins at the Serie A powerhouse following the dismissal of Igor Tudor, who managed only 24 games.
The former Napoli manager emerged as the top local candidate after being ousted by Italy in June. He reached a career peak in 2023 by guiding Napoli to a league title.
Following Juventus’ 33-year Serie A title drought, Spalletti commemorated the triumph by tattooing the club crest on his left arm. However, Juventus and Napoli share a deep-seated rivalry in Italian football.
Upon his arrival at Continassa, Juventus’ training complex, a faction of fans implored Spalletti to replace the tattoo with a ‘J’, as reported by Tuttomercatoweb. Regardless of the tattoo debacle, Spalletti is resolute in restoring Juventus to their former glory.
Currently, the Bianconeri sit seventh in Serie A, trailing Napoli and Roma by six points. In the Champions League, Juventus are yet to secure a win in three games, finding themselves on the brink of elimination.
Spalletti faces a tight timeline to prove his worth, as his contract only extends to the end of the season. However, a successful Champions League qualification could trigger an automatic renewal of his deal.
In a statement, the club expressed their delight in welcoming Spalletti and wished him luck in his new role. Spalletti’s debut match in charge will be against newly promoted Cremonese, featuring former England international Jamie Vardy, followed by a Champions League clash with Sporting Lisbon.
Earlier in the week, Spalletti humorously commented on the Turin vacancy, highlighting the prestige of coaching Juventus. He also praised Tudor for his professionalism and competence.
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