90min

Juventus draw up three-man shortlist as Andrea Pirlo fights to save his job

By Ross Jackson

Juventus boss Andrea Pirlo is understood to be on the verge of losing his job
Juventus boss Andrea Pirlo is understood to be on the verge of losing his job / Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images
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Juventus have drawn up a list of three potential replacements for Andrea Pirlo should the club decide to part ways with the World Cup-winning midfielder.

The Old Lady have failed to mount a serious Serie A title challenge in Pirlo's first season at the helm and a place in next season's Champions League is far from assured with a number of sides including Napoli and Roma still in with a shout of a top four finish.

Andrea Pirlo is facing a crucial end-of-season run-in if he wants to save his job
Andrea Pirlo is facing a crucial end-of-season run-in if he wants to save his job / Jonathan Moscrop/Getty Images

The club's performance in Europe has done little to detract from their underwhelming league campaign, with a Champions League exit to Porto at the round of 16 stage ensuring their wait to be crowned kings of European for the first time since 1996 goes on.

Repubblica.it now report (via Football Italia) that Juve are assessing their options should they decide to sack Pirlo, with Gian Piero Gasperini, Luciano Spalletti and Simone Inzaghi all in contention for the job.

Gasperini has helped transform Atalanta since taking the reins in 2016, with the club now regular challengers at the top end of Serie A having recorded back-to-back third place finishes.

Simeone has emerged as one of Italy's brightest managerial talents since being promoted to first-team boss at Lazio in 2016, overseeing triumphs in both the Coppa Italia and the Supercoppa Italiana

Spalletti, meanwhile, is currently out of work having left Inter back in 2019. The Italian tactician was twice named the Serie A Coach of the Year during his first spell with Roma.

Lazio boss Simone Inzaghi is one of those rumoured to be in the running for the Juventus manager's job
Lazio boss Simone Inzaghi is one of those rumoured to be in the running for the Juventus manager's job / Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images

Despite the Juventus hierarchy seemingly preparing for Pirlo's departure, the former midfielder will be given the opportunity to prove he's the man to take the club forward next season.

A 1-0 defeat to strugglers Benevento last time out was a damaging defeat in Juve's quest to at least secure a spot in next season's Champions League, however five crucial games in the club's run-in will decide his fate.

The Old Lady play Napoli, Atalanta, Milan and Inter before their league campaign's end, while they face Atalanta yet again in the Coppa Italia final on 19 May. The aforementioned clashes are reportedly vital if Pirlo wishes to continue at the helm of the Italian giants.