Giuntoli & Tudor: Team spirit the key to success | OneFootball

An important day at the Allianz Stadium, where the new coach, Igor Tudor, was presented to the press for the first time since his appointment. Here is what the new coach had to say, preceded by a statement from Cristiano Giuntoli, the club's Managing Director of Football.

CRISTIANO GIUNTOLI

“I would like to thank Thiago Motta and all his staff for their hard work over the last few months: our relationship is and has always been based upon respect and communication, and I am convinced that he will be a great coach, and I wish him all the best in his career. After the game against Fiorentina, we calmly analysed the team’s performance in the last few matches in detail, and we decided to make a change for the good of Juventus, because the last few weeks had given us cause for concern. We chose Tudor, above all for his technical, human and moral qualities: he will stay with us until the end of the season, Club World Cup included, after which we will sit down together at a table, but the hope is to continue together, because we are confident in the future of this team, in our squad and in our coach.”

IGOR TUDOR

The feeling of being Juventus coach

“First of all I would like to thank the director and the whole club for this opportunity. For me it is an honour to coach Juventus and I will give my all for this team, because I don't want to disappoint anyone. I know what this club represents, its history, its prestige. When a club like this approaches you, emotions are inevitable: Juve is a club that everyone wants to coach, and I feel ready for this challenge.

“There is a great desire to work, to do well, to achieve our common goal. I believe a lot in this team because it has quality players and a great desire to improve. We know that we are going through a difficult period and that there is little time to work on changes, but there must be no excuses. In my life I have never looked for them: I have always put myself to the test, facing challenges head-on. I want players with this mentality, who feel the weight and honour of the shirt they wear, and who are ready to take responsibility. Let's start from here.

The players and the team leaders

“[Dusan] Vlahovic is a very strong player, I am happy to be able to coach him, he has everything a top-class striker needs: he scores, he is intelligent, he shows great character and he knows how to motivate his teammates. It's a unique period for him, but he wants to work hard and that's the most important thing. We have him and [Randal] Kolo Muani, both strong players, and their presence in the squad is an advantage for the team. Can they play together? Of course, or only one of them can play. The important thing is to have quality players, because without those a coach can do very little.

“[Kenan] Yildiz and [Teun] Koopmeiners are also players with rare characteristics, which makes them very valuable. They are guys who can and must score goals, because in football those who play further forward are decisive. My job will be to find the right positions to allow everyone to perform at their best and contribute to the team. I saw a group that was sorry about the change of coach, but also motivated and eager to start again. And that is what counts.

“As far as leadership is concerned, it is still early to make a definitive judgement, because I have only recently got to know the players. But it is clear that today's new generations are different from those of twenty or thirty years ago. Personality is something you build over time, with experience and responsibility. At Juve, however, you don't look at age: here you have to be strong, full stop. It's a mentality I learnt when I played here, and it's the one I want to pass onto the boys.

The captain and the team identity

“Everyone has to take responsibility, but having a role model is fundamental. That's why the new captain will be [Manuel] Locatelli. I know him as a serious guy, with the right values and a great sense of belonging. I believe he has the qualities to be a captain worthy of this team. Together with him we will identify two or three other players who will have a leading role, and in the next few days we will define this internal structure.

“From a match performance point of view, there is a lot to work on. The priority is to give the team freedom and light-heartedness, but without neglecting the necessary intensity and competitive spirit. We must work on every aspect, tactical, mental and physical, with the awareness of what we represent. Juve is a club that has built its history on ambition and sacrifice, and this must be our mentality: to give our all, always.

Tactical approach and mentality

“I have coached teams that played with both four-man and three-man defences. I have previously set up in man-to-man and zonal presses. Every team has different characteristics and the coach must be good at finding the system that best suits the players he has at his disposal. There are no magic formulas or systems that automatically guarantee success. What counts is the motivation, the spirit and the desire to win every duel.

“It will take a few weeks to see the first improvements from a tactical point of view, but what must be clear from the start is the team spirit. We cannot do without two things: head and heart. I want a brave team, one that does not give up anything. I like to attack and commit numbers forward, but I don't want to concede goals. Football is changing, the fans are more and more demanding, and we have to play football that is effective but also interesting to watch. The quality of the game must never be neglected.

Juventus DNA and Tudor’s history at Juve

“At Juve I learnt a lot, both as a player and as assistant coach. This club has a unique work culture. I've told the lads about some moments I experienced here as a youngster: I remember [Zinedine] Zidane humbly giving me his place in the physio room, despite being a world superstar, or [Alessandro] Del Piero explaining to me how to leave my clothes tidy out of respect for the team's caretakers. They are details, but they make the difference. That's Juve: respect, discipline, sacrifice and the will to win.

“Over the years I have been involved with many teams and I have never seen a mentality like the one I found here. At Juve, hard work comes first and every choice is made with great care. This spirit must be our starting point.

“I spoke with Marcello Lippi, who was a role model for me. He was the coach who brought me here, and when I think of him, I think of Juventus. His way of communicating, of managing the changing room, of transmitting the winning culture is something that I still carry inside me today. I am very fond of him.

The support of the fans and the importance of details

“The fans are the beating heart of Juventus and I am sure they will get behind us on Saturday. This is a club that you love, that you follow with passion, and their support will be fundamental. The lads also care about it and they will do everything they can to put on a performance for them. The match won't be easy, because Genoa are an organised team, with a coach who is doing a great job, but we will give everything.

“In modern football, details make the difference. Set pieces, for example, are an aspect that can shift the balance of a match and affect the standings. That's why we will work very carefully on every aspect, leaving nothing to chance. I want a team that is attentive, focused and determined in every game situation.”