Juventus management has acted swiftly after a series of humiliating results, relieving Thiago Motta of his duties and handing over managerial reins to former player Igor Tudor. The decision comes following a 3-0 thrashing by Fiorentina, which added to a dismal 4-0 home loss against Atalanta. Juventus now sit fifth in Serie A, trailing Inter Milan by 12 points and falling behind Motta’s former side Bologna. While the season began with promise, a slump in form and mounting discontent among fans and players prompted the club to seek a change. Tudor’s return marks a tactical and emotional reboot for the Bianconeri.
Motta Dismissed After Run of Humbling Results
Juventus sacked Thiago Motta following back-to-back heavy losses that derailed their season's momentum. After arriving last summer on a three-year deal, hopes were high for Motta, who had taken Bologna to the Champions League. However, his Juventus side failed to live up to expectations. A catastrophic 3-0 loss to Fiorentina, hot on the heels of a 4-0 defeat to Atalanta, left the board with little choice.
Juventus issued a brief but direct statement, confirming Motta's departure and the immediate appointment of Igor Tudor, who will take charge of training beginning Monday.
Underperformance Despite an Unbeaten Run
Juventus went 21 league games unbeaten under Motta earlier this season—but drew 13 of those matches. That run, although impressive on paper, effectively sidelined the club from the title race, as dropped points piled up. After a brief resurgence in January with five consecutive wins, Juve collapsed again—culminating in fan unrest and growing dissatisfaction within the dressing room.
Knocked Out in Europe and Cup Competitions
Juventus finished 20th in the Champions League table and exited the Coppa Italia at the quarterfinal stage. Motta’s side was ousted by PSV Eindhoven in the playoff round of the Champions League, followed by a shocking home defeat to Empoli in the Coppa Italia. The loss to Empoli came after a penalty shootout, which Motta described as “shameful”—a term that summed up Juve’s trajectory this season.
Tensions with Senior Players Sparked Internal Divides
Motta made tough calls that created friction in the locker room, notably sidelining high-profile veterans. Federico Chiesa was told he was surplus to requirements and eventually sold to Liverpool. Former captain Danilo struggled for minutes and left in January, while Nicolo Fagioli was loaned to Fiorentina—where he starred in their recent win over Juventus. Motta’s rigid approach ultimately isolated key players and fractured team unity.
Igor Tudor Returns to Lead the Club He Once Called Home
Tudor, who played for Juventus from 1998 to 2007, now returns as head coach on a short-term contract. At 46, Tudor brings experience both as a former assistant at Juventus under Andrea Pirlo and as head coach of Lazio, Udinese, and Hellas Verona. His appointment includes an automatic one-year renewal if the club qualifies for the Champions League, though Juve retains an option to opt out before July 30.
His managerial track record includes taking Lazio to a seventh-place finish and securing Europa League qualification last season.
Tactical Shake-Up on the Cards
Tudor is expected to transition Juventus from a 4-2-3-1 formation to a 3-4-2-1 setup. The tactical change mirrors what Tudor successfully implemented at Lazio. A three-man backline could better suit Juventus’ current roster and provide defensive solidity, which has been sorely lacking in recent weeks. All eyes will be on how quickly Tudor can instill his philosophy ahead of his debut game on Saturday.
What’s Next: Genoa Clash Could Set the Tone
Tudor’s first match in charge will be a home fixture against Genoa. This game could serve as a litmus test for the new manager’s tactical structure, squad morale, and leadership presence. With Champions League qualification still within reach, a strong finish to the season is imperative.
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