Thiago Motta`s time as Juventus manager might be cut short. Sources in Italy indicate that Juventus is in internal discussions about potentially dismissing him before this season ends. The club is expected to find a replacement for the former Bologna coach soon. Sky Italy reports that if Motta is dismissed, Juventus sporting director Cristiano Giuntoli has identified Igor Tudor, previously head coach of Lazio, as a possible interim manager until the season`s conclusion.
Tudor is familiar with Juventus, having played for them and served as Andrea Pirlo`s assistant in the 2020-21 season. Before joining Lazio briefly after Maurizio Sarri`s resignation, he managed Hellas Verona and Olympique Marseille. Despite initial plans for Tudor to lead a new project at Lazio, he left after just three months, and Lazio later hired Marco Baroni as their head coach in the summer of 2024.
Motta`s tenure at Juventus has been largely unsuccessful, especially considering the high hopes after he was brought in to start a new chapter following Massimiliano Allegri`s departure. Despite aiming for a Champions League spot, Juventus has been eliminated from the Coppa Italia by Empoli and from the UEFA Champions League playoffs by PSV.
Beyond just results, Motta hasn`t been able to replicate the exciting and effective style of play he implemented at Bologna last season, where he guided them to their first-ever Champions League qualification. Furthermore, reports suggest that some key Juventus players, including Dusan Vlahovic and Kenan Yildiz, are unhappy with the current coach and have expressed their disappointment.
Juventus will play Genoa in Turin next week after the international break. However, it seems unlikely that Motta will be in charge for that game. In their last two Serie A matches against Fiorentina and Atalanta, Juventus conceded seven goals and scored none. The 4-0 home loss to Atalanta was their worst home defeat in Serie A since October 1967. These poor results have created a significant divide between the fans and the manager, with supporters urging the club to make a quick decision about Motta`s future.
