FLORENCE, ITALY - MAY 8: Head coach Raffaele Palladino of ACF Fiorentina looks on during the UEFA Conference League 2024/25 Semi Final First Leg match between ACF Fiorentina and Real Betis Balompie at Artemio Franchi on May 8, 2025 in Florence, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)
FLORENCE, ITALY - MAY 8: Head coach Raffaele Palladino of ACF Fiorentina looks on during the UEFA Conference League 2024/25 Semi Final First Leg match between ACF Fiorentina and Real Betis Balompie at Artemio Franchi on May 8, 2025 in Florence, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)

Raffaele Palladino was not a genuine candidate for the Juventus job as Luciano Spalletti was always the Bianconeri’s priority, given that Damien Comolli met an intermediary close to the ex-Italy coach before the game against Lazio.

Juventus are set to appoint Spalletti as their new coach, having reached an agreement with the Italian tactician on Tuesday.

Palladino was a serious candidate for Juventus

FLORENCE, ITALY - MAY 8: Head coach Raffaele Palladino manager of ACF Fiorentina gestures during the UEFA Conference League 2024/25 Semi Final First Leg match between ACF Fiorentina and Real Betis Balompie at Artemio Franchi on May 8, 2025 in Florence, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)
FLORENCE, ITALY – MAY 8: Head coach Raffaele Palladino manager of ACF Fiorentina gestures during the UEFA Conference League 2024/25 Semi Final First Leg match between ACF Fiorentina and Real Betis Balompie at Artemio Franchi on May 8, 2025 in Florence, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)

Despite reports, Palladino was never a serious candidate for the Juventus job as the Bianconeri’s first option was always the ex-Italy coach.

Sources with direct knowledge of the matter tell me that an intermediary very close to Spalletti met with Juventus director Damien Comolli in Rome on Saturday, before Igor Tudor’s eventual final game in charge of the Old Lady, against Lazio.

It is also not confirmed that a part of the Juventus dressing room pushed for the appointment of Palladino, so the ex-Fiorentina and Monza coach is now waiting for a new chance.

The former striker has already rejected some offers from foreign clubs and could turn out to be a regret for Atalanta, who picked Ivan Juric instead of him in the summer.

Atalanta are still unbeaten in Serie A, but have collected seven draws in nine games.

 

Alfredo Pedullà

ByAlfredo Pedullà

Alfredo is one of the most highly respected football journalists in Italy, breaking many of the biggest transfer news stories, interviewing the very best players and managers and presenting his analysis on numerous football programmes on Italian television.

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