Juventus Sacks Thiago Motta, Appoints New Head Coach

Juventus has announced the sacking of head coach Thiago Motta, who was appointed last summer.

The decision comes just nine months into his three-year contract, following his impressive tenure at Bologna.

A 3-0 loss at Fiorentina, which followed a 4-0 home defeat by Atalanta, proved to be the final straw for the Juve hierarchy.

Former player Igor Tudor has been named as Motta’s replacement, as Juventus currently sits fifth in the Serie A standings, trailing leaders Inter Milan by 12 points.

“Juventus FC announces that it has relieved Thiago Motta of his position as coach of the men’s first team,” a club statement said.

“Juventus FC also announces that it has entrusted the leadership of the Men’s First Team to Igor Tudor who will direct the first training session tomorrow.”

Tudor returns to Juventus, where he spent the majority of his playing career, and most recently served as Andrea Pirlo’s assistant during the 2020-21 season.

He has prior managerial experience with Udinese, Hellas Verona, and Lazio, and his first match in charge will be at home against Genoa.

Under Motta, Juventus finished 20th in the Champions League standings and was eliminated from the competition at the playoff stage last month by PSV Eindhoven.

Less than a week later, Juventus went out of the Coppa Italia, knocked out by Empoli after a penalty shootout in the quarter-finals.