Thiago Motta’s tenure at Juventus lasted just nine months before the Italian giants dismissed him, following humiliating back-to-back Serie A defeats and exits from both the Champions League and Coppa Italia.
His sacking came as little surprise, with Juventus struggling for consistency despite a promising start to the season.
“It was inevitable,” said journalist Julien Laurens on BBC Radio 5 Live. “You can’t lose 4-0 and 3-0 back-to-back, on top of being knocked out in Europe.”
Motta’s Struggles: From Bologna Brilliance to Juventus Failure
Motta arrived at Juventus with high expectations after an impressive spell at Bologna, where his progressive tactics transformed the club into Champions League qualifiers. However, his approach never fully took shape in Turin.
“I felt for him because I love what he did at Bologna,” Laurens added. “But maybe this was a little too early for him, and it just never got going.”
A major issue was Juventus’ conservative style under Motta. While the team initially showed defensive solidity, they failed to translate that into attacking success. A staggering 13 draws in 19 unbeaten league games highlighted their lack of firepower.
Recruitment Woes and Boardroom Turmoil
Motta’s struggles were compounded by questionable recruitment decisions. Douglas Luiz arrived for £42.35m but was barely used, while Moise Kean, now Serie A’s second-top scorer, was allowed to leave for Fiorentina.
Off the pitch, Juventus face deeper issues. Financial concerns have left them without a main sponsor, and sporting director Cristiano Giuntoli is under fire for missteps in player and managerial hires.
“Juventus is a mess on every level,” said Italian journalist Mina Rzouki. “The management is failing from the top down.”
Can Igor Tudor Steady the Ship?
With Motta out, former Juve defender Igor Tudor has been tasked with rescuing the season. Known for his ability to turn struggling teams around, Tudor has a short-term contract that will be extended if he secures Champions League qualification.
“I want to be here for 10 years, but I live in the present,” Tudor said. “We can’t control what happens in the future.”
Whether he can restore stability remains to be seen, but one thing is clear—Juventus’ problems run deeper than just the manager’s seat.
