Tudor: ‘Caretaker is an ugly word, every coach lives one day at a time’ | OneFootball

Igor Tudor gives important injury updates for Juventus against Parma and insists he dislikes being called a ‘caretaker’ manager. ‘That is such an ugly word. Every coach lives one day at a time.’

It kicks off at the Stadio Tardini on Monday at 19.45 UK time (18.45 GMT).

The Bianconeri have managed to turn things around since Tudor took over from Thiago Motta, picking up seven points from three rounds to leap into fourth place.

Despite that, very few believe that he will have his contract extended beyond the end of this season, so does he feel more like a caretaker or a coach?

“I reply the way I always have done, that it’s such an ugly word,” said the Croatian in his press conference.

“When a coach arrives, he can be fired even if he’s got a five-year contract all signed. Every coach lives one day at a time. You can’t plan too far ahead, you build the future today, you take lessons from the past, but thinking about the future too much creates nothing except anxiety.

“You’ve just got to prepare the best you can and then go at it, that’s all that counts. The rest means zero.”

Tudor outlines Juventus injury problems

TURIN, ITALY – APRIL 12: Teun Koopmeiners of Juventus celebrates scoring his team’s first goal during the Serie A match between Juventus and Lecce at Allianz Stadium on April 12, 2025 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images)

Juventus have some injury concerns going to Parma, because on top of Federico Gatti, Samuel Mbangula, Arek Milik, Gleison Bremer and Juan Cabal, there are also doubts for two top stars.

“We had a few problems, Kenan Yildiz had some issues and worked a little bit with the group, so we’ll see tomorrow. Teun Koopmeiners also did a bit, but he is a major doubt to feature in the match. We are still missing Mbangula and Gatti,” said Tudor.

In the potential absence of these two, could he try Dusan Vlahovic and Randal Kolo Muani together?

“We don’t have a Plan A and a Plan B, we just have to choose the players in the best shape, because Parma are doing well and held both Inter and Fiorentina to draws. Vlahovic listens and learns, his work is also appreciated by his teammates, as he provided two fine assists. Clearly, he wants goals and they will come.

“We’ll see about the two strikers together. It might happen, it might not. Kolo worked well, so did Francisco Conceicao. We’ll see,” noted Tudor.

“We’ve been working together for 2-3 weeks now and the squad is improving, we increased the intensity to win back the ball quickly. We need to be aggressive and united, that is an objective.”

TURIN, ITALY – APRIL 12: Igor Tudor, Head Coach of Juventus, looks on during the warm up prior to the Serie A match between Juventus and Lecce at Allianz Stadium on April 12, 2025 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images)

Tudor had said after the win against Lecce that he was disappointed with the attitude of those players who came on as substitutes, so did he read them the riot act this week?

“We talked, but it was very normal, there was no going over the top. The players understand we need to improve, because having five substitutions is important. I saw the lads aware and eager to do better.”

So what extra step does he expect from the squad?

“I don’t expect any step, that’s what you said. I just expect a great performance. Parma pressed Inter high to fight back and get a point, so there’s no guarantee they’ll be passive and invite us forward.”

Finally, Tudor said he was impressed with defender Renato Veiga, who arrived in January on loan from Chelsea.

“He is 22 and has the character of a 30-year-old. He’s quick, has quality, communicates with his teammates, and it’s rare people get past him. He can improve in certain things, we’re still working, but he has a bright future ahead of him and I told him it all depends on him.”