Thiago Motta`s time as Juventus manager might be cut short. Club officials are reportedly discussing his dismissal before the season concludes, with plans to appoint a replacement soon, according to Sky Italy. Should Motta be sacked, Juventus` sporting director Cristiano Giuntoli has identified Igor Tudor, former Lazio coach, as a possible interim manager until the season`s end. Tudor, who previously played for Juventus and served as Andrea Pirlo`s assistant in 2020-21, also managed Hellas Verona and Olympique Marseille, and had a brief stint at Lazio after Maurizio Sarri`s departure. Despite initial plans for Tudor to lead a new project at Lazio, he left after three months, and Marco Baroni was later appointed in summer 2024.
Motta`s tenure at Juventus has been largely disappointing, especially after he was brought in to usher in a new era following Massimiliano Allegri`s dismissal. Despite high expectations, Motta has struggled to deliver. While Juventus is still in contention for a Champions League spot, they have been eliminated from the Coppa Italia by Empoli and from the Champions League playoffs by PSV.
Beyond results, Motta has failed to replicate the exciting and effective football he showcased at Bologna last season, where he led the team to their first-ever Champions League qualification. Furthermore, reports suggest dissatisfaction among key players like Dusan Vlahovic and Kenan Yildiz regarding the current coach.
Juventus will face Genoa in Turin next week after the international break, but it seems unlikely Motta will be in charge for that game. In their recent Serie A matches against Fiorentina and Atalanta, Juventus conceded seven goals and scored none. The 4-0 home defeat against Atalanta was their worst home loss in Serie A since 1967. These results have widened the gap between the fans and the manager, with many urging the club to make a swift decision about Motta`s future.
