Luciano Spalletti was appointed Juventus manager on 30 October 2025 and has now spent a year on the bench. However, the results have not matched the expectations that he or the club had when he arrived.
Juventus believed they had appointed one of the best Italian coaches available, and Spalletti’s previous record supports that view. He enjoyed success at clubs including AS Roma and Napoli, winning the Scudetto with the latter in 2023.
A difficult first year
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Spalletti did not join Juventus at a time when the club were performing at their best. He arrived with the task of trying to save the team, but his position could come under pressure in the coming weeks if results do not improve.
Although there have been some improvements under his management, Juventus have ended his first year in eighth place in Serie A with 14 points. As reported by [Calciomercato](https://www.calciomercato.com/liste/spalletti-un-anno-dopo-dalla-buona-partenza-al-buio-attuale-la-juventus-mai-cosi-lontana-dopo-9-giornate-di-campionato-in-serie-a/bltf9c5364fcc1cb146), they are 11 points behind the leaders and six points outside the top four after nine league matches.
That is their worst distance from the top six since the introduction of three points for a win after nine league matches. For a club of Juventus’ stature, the situation is far from satisfactory and raises questions about the progress made under Spalletti.
(Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)
Pressure on Spalletti
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Spalletti is aware of the demands at Juventus and the importance of delivering results. The club expected him to improve their performances and help them compete at the highest level, but the early returns have fallen short of those expectations.
Juventus remain a major club in Italian football, but their current league position reflects the difficulties they have faced. The gap to the top four is significant, and the team need to improve quickly if they are to climb the table and challenge for European qualification.
Spalletti’s first year has been challenging, and the pressure on him is likely to increase if results do not pick up. Juventus need a strong response in the coming weeks, as the club looks to move away from their current position and get back to competing at the top of Serie A.