What Formation Does Luciano Spalletti Typically Prefer And Who Would Make His Juventus XI Should He Take Bianconeri Job?

With Luciano Spalletti edging closer to taking the Juventus hot seat, what formation would the former Azzurri boss likely employ in Turin? 

Furthermore, how could the Bianconeri lineup under Spalletti should he decide to accept the task of restoring the glory days in Turin?

Spalletti is reportedly in discussions with Juve about joining the club until the end of the season. Should he acquire a top-four finish, his contract will automatically renew.

🗣 Luciano Spalletti:

"Juventus is a great club, with a great history, a great everything. So anyone would be happy to coach them, and it could be any coach's fortune." pic.twitter.com/0ocRwXIN5M

— Juventus Xtra (@juven_xtra) October 28, 2025

Will Luciano Spalletti Manage Juventus?

FootItalia’s next Juventus manager odds market immediately installed Luciano Spalletti as one of the favorites for the vacant position.

Spalletti is already in talks with the club and its understood he is keen on the project. That despite him sporting a Napoli tattoo from his time with the Gli Azzurri.

Spalletti won the Scudetto in Naples in 2022-23 before taking the senior Azzurri role upon the completion of his historic feat.

Interestingly, the 66-year-old head coach admitted in March this year he wouldn’t manage anyone else again in Serie A other than the current champions of Italy.

It appears he has had a change of heart with the likeliness of him taking the Juve job gathering traction. Especially as he called Juve a “great club.” Naturally, if he accepts the job his special bond created with Napoli will be broken.

Another intriguing angle of his potential Juve employment will be how the Bianconeri faithful perceive Spalletti. It will almost certainly divide opinion among supporters.

With the above in mind, only time will tell if Spalletti accepts the role. There are certainly a number of pros and cons for him to consider but Roberto Mancini and Raffaele Palladino are on standby if he decides not to sign on the dotted line.

What Formation Does Luciano Spalletti Typically Employ?

Once Juventus sacked Igor Tudor, supporters will be wondering whether their new head coach will mix up the tactics and formation that Tudor opted for (3-4-2-1 was his most favored in 2025-26).

If Luciano Spalletti does accept the reported job offer, he would perhaps employ a 4-2-3-1 system. This was his preferred lineup during his time as Inter Milan boss between 2017-19.

With the current players on the books in Turin, it would make sense for Spalletti to adopt this set-up. However, he used 4-3-3 during his spell with Napoli owing to the attacking brilliance of Victor Osimhen and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.

In his most recent spell as Italy boss during Euro 2024, Spalletti rotated between a 4-2-3-1 and 4-3-3. Therefore, those two aforementioned formations are his most tried and trusted.

How Could Juventus Lineup Under Luciano Spalletti?

Assuming that Luciano Spalletti was to employ a 4-2-3-1 lineup, with the players he would have at his disposal, the goalkeeper would remain as Michele Di Gregorio.

Defensive options are slightly thin on the ground owing to Gleison Bremer’s injury. Lloyd Kelly has performed admirably and would make a good addition in the middle with Joao Mario on the right.

Playing alongside Kelly would likely be Federico Gatti with Andrea Cambiaso filling in at left-back. Spalletti could utilize a defensive midfield pairing of Manuel Locatelli and Khephren Thuram.

In attack, summer signing Jonathan David could play in the middle with additional support from Kenan Yildiz and Francisco Conceicao. The lone striker would therefore be contract rebel Dusan Vlahovic.