TURIN, Italy (AP) — Former Napoli and Italy coach Luciano Spalletti was hired to manage struggling Juventus on Thursday and tasked with making the record 36-time Serie A champion a title contender again.

Juventus announced it had signed Spalletti to an eight-month contract — to the end of June. Italian media reports that the contract will be automatically renewed if the club qualifies for the Champions League.

The move comes three days after Igor Tudor was fired following three straight losses and an eight-match winless run that had dated back to Sept. 13. The run ended with a 3-1 win over Udinese on Wednesday under interim coach Massimo Brambilla.

“We are delighted to welcome a coach with such expertise and experience to the Bianconeri family: welcome to Juventus and good luck, coa

See Full Page