In 1907, Juventus were still in a very early and transitional phase of their history, and it is important to understand that the role of a coach at that time was not clearly defined in the modern sense. Unlike today, clubs did not usually employ a full-time professional manager. Instead, teams were guided by club officials, senior players, and captains, who collectively handled training, tactics, and match preparation.

The year 1907 was especially significant—and turbulent—for Juventus. Internally, the club was divided by disagreements over direction and identity, particularly concerning the growing influence of foreign players. These tensions led to a major split within the club. A group of members, led by former Juventus president Alfred Dick, left Juventus and founded Torino FC later that same year. This event had a profound impact on Juventus, both on and off the pitch.XX88

Because of this instability, Juventus did not have a clearly documented, officially appointed “coach” in 1907. Tactical decisions and team organization were largely managed by the team captain and a technical committee, a common structure in Italian football at the time. Training sessions were simple, focusing on physical fitness, basic passing, and match readiness rather than complex tactical systems. Formations were straightforward, often resembling early versions of the 2-3-5 shape popular across Europe.

Leadership within the squad was crucial. Senior players acted as mentors, setting standards for discipline and effort. Matches relied heavily on individual quality, teamwork, and fighting spirit rather than rigid tactical planning. Juventus, still wearing their iconic black-and-white stripes adopted a few years earlier, were competing in regional and national competitions where football was fast, physical, and highly amateur in nature.

Although the absence of a formal coach might seem like a weakness, this period helped shape Juventus’s long-term identity. The challenges of 1907 forced the club to rebuild, reorganize, and strengthen its internal structure. In the years that followed, Juventus gradually moved toward more professional management, eventually appointing dedicated coaches and adopting more advanced training methods.

In historical terms, the “Juventus 1907 coach” represents not a single individual but a collective leadership model. It reflects an era when football was driven by passion, loyalty, and shared responsibility. While Juventus did not achieve major sporting success that year, the lessons learned during this difficult period were essential in forming the resilient, disciplined club that would later become one of the giants of Italian and world football.