Juventus reiterate Igor Tudor support but line up ex-Man City and former Borussia Dortmund coaches as possible replacements after first Serie A loss of the season

The shock came early at Sinigaglia Stadium. Juventus, unbeaten but uninspiring through a run of five consecutive draws, fell 2–0 to Cesc Fabregas’ side, registering their first league defeat of the season. Nico Paz was the star of the night, setting up Marc-Oliver Kempf’s opener and scoring a sublime solo goal that sealed Como’s first win over Juventus since 1952. The Bianconeri, despite boasting stars like Jonathan David and Kenan Yildiz, struggled to create clear chances and managed just three shots on target.

The result left Juventus seventh in Serie A, with only 12 points from seven matches, and still winless in Europe after two Champions League draws. Yet, despite growing pressure, the Serie A side have not opted for a managerial shake-up. Instead, the club retains faith in coach Tudor, at least for now, while simultaneously assessing possible successors in case results worsen during the crucial upcoming fixtures against Real Madrid and Lazio, according to Calciomercato.

Juventus’ management has quietly begun evaluating top-tier replacements should Tudor fail to turn things around. Leading the list is Roberto Mancini, the former Italy and Manchester City coach whose tactical discipline and experience in handling elite squads make him a natural fit. Furthermore, his composure, man-management, and structured attacking systems with a resume laden with trophies including a Premier League title win, three consecutive Serie A crowns with Inter, and a European Championship triumph with Italy in 2021. Mancini has also lifted four Coppa Italia trophies and two Italian Super Cups, showcasing his ability to build title-winning squads across different eras and cultures. The 59-year-old's recent stint in Saudi Arabia ended amicably, leaving him free for a return to European club football. Another prominent name is Luciano Spalletti, the mastermind behind Napoli’s 2023 Scudetto triumph and former Italy coach who is admired by Comolli for his attacking balance and player development philosophy. Raffaele Palladino, despite being less experienced, is seen as a forward-looking choice due to his progressive ideas and success in stabilising Monza and later Fiorentina.

From abroad, two former Borussia Dortmund coaches - Edin Terzic and Marco Rose - have also emerged as options. Terzic, known for leading Dortmund to the 2024 Champions League final, represents a dynamic, modern tactician, while Rose’s high-pressing style and Bundesliga success align with Juventus’ evolving identity.

Behind the scenes, tension has grown between the Croatian coach and general manager Comolli. Their recent meeting reportedly covered tactical structure, squad conditioning, and the need for evolution, particularly Comolli’s push for a switch to a four-man defence. Tudor, however, stood firm on maintaining his preferred setup, signaling flexibility only 'without distorting his footballing principles.' This resistance, seen as stubborn by some, has strained relations and fueled speculation about internal friction. Despite that, Comolli’s two-year vision for Juventus remains intact with a plan to rebuild around young stars like Kenan Yildiz, supported by key signings such as Jonathan David, Edon Zhegrova and Lois Openda. The French executive aims to transform Juventus into a high-tempo, technically refined side capable of challenging both domestically and in Europe. Tudor, who extended his contract until 2027 with an option for 2028, was meant to lead that evolution. Whether he can align his philosophy with Comolli’s modern vision now stands as the defining test of his tenure.

The coming weeks could decide Juventus’ trajectory this season. They face Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu in the Champions League on October 22 which will be a daunting test for a team that is struggling to score, this will be followed by a crucial Serie A clash against Lazio. Success in either could stabilise Tudor’s position; failure might reopen the debate about leadership.

To bounce back, Juventus need to rediscover attacking fluidity and restore confidence among key players. The tactical key may lie in reverting to a balanced setup, tightening the defence while giving creative players greater freedom. But with European ambitions and domestic credibility on the line, Juve cannot afford another misstep. The next two matches will not just test their resilience, they may shape the entire direction of Comolli’s long-term Juventus project