Juventus have parted ways with manager Thiago Motta after less than a year in charge, with the Serie A outfit releasing a blunt statement following his sacking. Motta had been appointed by Juventus following an impressive season in charge of Bologna.
The Italian coach helped guide Bologna into the Champions League for the first time in the club’s history but quickly jumped ship when Juventus came knocking. He was unable to work his magic at the Old Lady, with reports he quickly lost the dressing room after culling several senior players.
Juventus have wasted no time in pulling the plug, with Motta having been sacked nine matches out from his first season in charge. An 88-word statement from the two-time European champions read: “Juventus FC announce that Thiago Motta has been relieved of his duties as Men’s First Team coach.
“The club would like to thank Thiago Motta and all of his staff for their professionalism and for the work they have carried out in recent months with passion and dedication. The club wish them the best of luck for the future. Juventus FC also announce that the Men’s First Team will now be led by Igor Tudor, who will take charge of his first training session tomorrow, Monday, 24 March.”
It brings to an end a toxic spell in charge for Motta, who was believed to have had several detractors within the Juventus hierarchy. Italian outlet La Gazzetta dello Sport reported Juventus’ sporting director, Cristiano Giuntoli, told Motta he was “ashamed at having chosen you.”
The irony in Italy hasn’t been lost that Bologna, who Motta jumped ship from, are currently above Juventus in the Serie A table and thriving under new boss Vincenzo Italiano. With two months of the campaign left to play, Bologna sit one point and one place above Juventus and currently occupy the final Champions League qualification spot.
Motta’s record as Juventus boss doesn’t read too bad, considering he only lost seven matches across all competitions as boss. However, his style of play failed to inspire at the Allianz Stadium, which led to the record Italian champions recording 17 draws from his 42 matches in charge.
The hunt for a new manager will begin now, with Gian Piero Gasperini and Antonio Conte having been touted as potential options. Gasperini has shone as boss of Atalanta, winning the club’s first-ever European trophy last season. Whereas Conte won three Serie A titles during a three-year stint as Juventus manager in the early 2010s.