Juventus supporters greeted new coach Luciano Spalletti with a request to reconsider his contentious tattoo. The 66-year-old Spalletti took over at the Serie A powerhouse following the dismissal of Igor Tudor, who only managed 24 games before being let go.
Spalletti, previously in charge at Napoli, emerged as the top domestic choice after being released by Italy in June. His career peaked in 2023 when he guided Napoli to a league triumph.
Following Juventus’ 33-year Serie A title drought ending, Spalletti commemorated the achievement with a tattoo of the club’s crest on his left arm. However, Juventus and Napoli have a fierce rivalry, making them bitter adversaries.
Upon Spalletti’s arrival at the Continassa training center, a faction of fans implored him to replace the tattoo with a ‘J’ as Juventus and Napoli have a storied history of rivalry. Despite the tattoo controversy, Spalletti is dedicated to restoring Juventus to their former glory.
Currently, Juventus sits seventh in Serie A, trailing leaders Napoli and Roma by six points. In the Champions League, Juventus have yet to secure a victory after three matches, placing them in a precarious position for qualification.
Spalletti faces a tight timeline to prove himself, with a contract extension contingent on Juventus securing a Champions League berth. The club expressed their satisfaction with the new coach’s arrival, wishing him success in a statement.
Spalletti’s debut match will be against newly-promoted Cremonese, followed by a Champions League clash with Sporting Lisbon. In a recent interview, Spalletti expressed his respect for Tudor, the former Juventus coach, emphasizing the prestige of managing the Italian giants.
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