Juventus have confirmed Igor Tudor will remain as their head coach.
There had been speculation regarding Tudor’s future in the position he assumed after replacing Thiago Motta in March.
Tudor’s contract was automatically extended upon securing qualification for the Champions League, but Juve reportedly held talks with Antonio Conte and Gian Piero Gasperini as they look to return to challenging in Serie A after five successive seasons without a Scudetto.
Juve went trophyless for the third time in four seasons but, with Conte staying at Napoli and Gasperini taking over at Roma, the Bianconeri have opted to stick with Tudor, who will now lead the team into the Club World Cup.
The decision was confirmed by new general manager Damien Comolli, who is planning to hire a sporting director and a technical director as part of his efforts to get Juve back to where they believe they belong.
“I want to confirm that Tudor will be our coach for next season. I have already made this clear to him and we are working together,” Comolli told reporters.
“We are a great club and there is a lot of speculation, but I want to reiterate that Tudor will remain our coach.”
Comolli is familiar with Tudor from his days working with Toulouse.
“When he was at Marseille he beat us twice. We even laughed about it,” Comolli added.
“The intensity, the physical and mental stamina that his Marseille had, impressed me. He did an exceptional job at Marseille.”
Additionally, Comolli confirmed that Randal Kolo Muani, on loan from Paris Saint-Germain, will feature for Juve at the Club World Cup, and they are hopeful they can extend his stay beyond that.
“We have not reached an agreement for next season, but I am optimistic that we can reach one, because PSG has not closed the door and Kolo Muani wants to stay with us,” Comolli said.
Meanwhile, there is speculation regarding the future of striker Dusan Vlahovic, Juve’s top scorer for each of the last three seasons.
Vlahovic is said to be unsettled in Turin, but Comolli wants to clarify the situation with the Serbia international.
“I want to understand what he wants to do. He is a top player and something this season didn’t work,” Tudor explained.
“He is a top player and we also have to understand his intentions from a contractual point of view. When I understand all these things, I will be able to decide.”
