Spalletti: ‘My son left Juventus because of me, I could never become a director’
· Yahoo Sports
Luciano Spalletti has revealed why his son decided to leave Juventus after his appointment, has explained why he could never become a director after his coaching career comes to an end, and has described his time as the head coach of the Italy national team as ‘an incomplete experience’.
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The Juventus head coach spoke about his time with Juventus, Italy, Napoli and Roma in an in-depth interview with Tuttosport, published on Monday.
Spalletti on his Italy and Juventus careers, McKennie, Douglas Luiz and Alajbegovic
REGGIO NELL’EMILIA, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 13: Luciano Spalletti Head Coach of Juventus looks on prior to the Serie A match between US Sassuolo and Juventus at Mapei Stadium – Citta’ del Tricolore on September 13, 2026 in Reggio nell’Emilia, Italy. (Photo by Emmanuele Ciancaglini/Getty Images)
Spalletti was asked about his time in charge of the Azzurri ahead of their fixture at home against Turkey in the Nations League later this evening (kicking off at 19.45 BST).
“I’m sorry to have left the job unfinished, but it’s still the same for me: You always love the national team,” he said.
“If you ask me if I feel like I had the full experience as head coach of the national team, I’d say that it remains an incomplete experience.”
Going back to where it all started, Spalletti says that he has always been a big football supporter, and says that he has brought in new rules at Juventus to make sure that genuine fans get to interact with the players as much as possible.
“When I saw the big white bus that used to carry Sacchi’s Milan, I used to chase it to the motorway service station to see those great champions step off in their big coats. I always used to hang around when the big teams played against Empoli. I understand those who wait around for an autograph.
TURIN, ITALY – APRIL 19: Luciano Spalletti, Head Coach of Juventus, reacts prior to the Serie A match between Juventus FC and Bologna FC 1909 at Allianz Stadium on April 19, 2026 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images)
“It bothers me that we can’t always please everyone in those situations because of the rush of everyday life. We have a rule this year: We dedicate five minutes to the people when we arrive at hotels in various cities. We have to bring the supporters closer to us.”
Spalletti was able to steady the ship after his appointment a few months into the 2025-26 season, but was ultimately unable to get Juventus into the Serie A top four by the end of the campaign. So, how does he feel his first season in charge of the club went?
“We solved some fundamental issues and questions about who we really are. But we had three or four incidents that interrupted our rhythm, like a few tactical fouls we suffered.”
TURIN, ITALY – MARCH 07: Khephren Thuram of Juventus celebrates his goal with his team-mates and Luciano Spalletti Head coach of Juventus during the Serie A match between Juventus FC and Pisa SC at Juventus Stadium on March 07, 2026 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Giuseppe Cottini/Getty Images)
Spalletti says that he feels that he is, and will only ever be a coach, and that he does not see himself ever becoming a director later down the line: “I would only be a director if they put my desk on the sidelines. Or if they gave me a desk the size of a penalty area.”
One of Spalletti’s sons, Federico, is a scout who had worked with Juventus until his father’s appointment. Wanting to make a name for himself, though, he left the Old Lady after his father was appointed as head coach.
“When I first came to Juve, my son Federico told me: ‘Are you really coming here? Okay then, I’m leaving’. He was already here as a scout and now he’s gone to Genoa. He didn’t want to be affected by me. He wanted to go on his own journey as a scout and he really left. He told me clearly.”
Spalletti was asked if he sees himself in any young Italian coaches coming through.
He replied: “I like Daniele De Rossi. I also enjoy watching Francesco Farioli at Porto.”
PARMA, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 20: Daniele De Rossi head coach of Genoa CFC during the Serie A match between Parma Calcio and Genoa CFC at Stadio Ennio Tardini on September 20, 2026 in Parma, Italy. (Photo by Luca Amedeo Bizzarri/Getty Images)
And what is Spalletti’s biggest regret about his time with Juventus so far?
“Not having kept the high level of play we had done for most of the season. That cost us the Champions League.”
Speaking about some of his individual players, Spalletti discussed why Weston McKennie has become one of the most important members of his squad.
“We’ve created the ‘Wes Zone’, he knows every corner of the pitch. The videos we watch tell a lot about his character, his personality. He’s a brilliant person and always gives you everything. He just tells you ‘that’s how I am’. He’s a great person and he can do so many different things. He’s a midfielder, a defender, an attacking midfielder: He plays wherever he wants.
LECCE, ITALY – MAY 09: Weston McKennie of Juventus FC during the Serie A match between US Lecce and Juventus FC at Stadio Via del Mare on May 09, 2026 in Lecce, Italy. (Photo by Maurizio Lagana/Getty Images)
“Being a utility player is a new specialisation in football: Knowing how to play across the whole pitch is now obligatory. Simone Perrotta was similarly in how he knew how to adapt to various different tactical situations. He was someone that was always on the move.”
And are there any other players that Spalletti feels have really come on since his appointment?
“Compared to when I met him, definitely Douglas Luiz.”
And which Juventus player should fans keep an eye on?
“Alajbegovic is somebody who can really amaze people. We have to give him a peaceful and comfortable environment to grow. We have to create a strong relationship between the team and the individual players. If he shows a bit more of himself, you will see that Zhegrova can become a top player.”