“I'm ashamed that I chose you.” Juventus urgently dismisses Thiago Motta

The club’s management had been considering this dismissal even before the March international break.

Financial considerations didn't help Motta. According to insider reports, firing Motta and his assistants will cost the club over €15 million, not including potential expenses related to hiring his successor. Yet the urgency remains puzzling: with less than two months left in the season, was there really such a fear of missing out on the Champions League spots if Thiago stayed until the Serie A campaign concluded? Apparently, they decided not to wait.

La Gazzetta dello Sport reported that Juventus sporting director Cristiano Giuntoli informed Motta about his dismissal over the phone, saying, "I'm ashamed that I chose you." Everything seems pretty clear.

Last summer, the Turin side underwent a significant reboot: changing a considerable part of the squad and hiring a young, promising head coach. However, the season turned out rather uneven and controversial for the northern club.

Despite an unbeaten run extending into early 2025, Juventus concluded the calendar year with their second-worst Serie A performance in the three-point era. They were also knocked out of the Champions League and Coppa Italia after facing opponents they were expected to defeat. According to reports, humiliating defeats against Atalanta (0-4) and Fiorentina (0-3) ultimately sealed Motta's fate.

Rumors suggest Juventus considered three candidates: Roberto Mancini, Igor Tudor, and Domenico Tedesco. Each had pros and cons. Examples like Roma with Claudio Ranieri, and earlier Chelsea with Guus Hiddink, illustrate that short-term coaching roles are best suited for someone at the twilight of their managerial career, carrying considerable authority and good rapport with players.

Mancini has had ups and downs, but he's unlikely to deliver quick results and wouldn’t settle for a short-term caretaker role. Tedesco appeared from nowhere, without obvious supporting arguments.

Ultimately, Juventus opted for Tudor. According to Italian media, one of the key points in Tudor's favor was his willingness not to insist on an automatic contract extension for the next season. This flexibility likely gave him an advantage over other candidates.

Moreover, Tudor, a former Juventus player with nearly 200 appearances, is known for his strict and demanding coaching style, potentially providing the necessary shake-up for the team in the final stretch of the season.

Thus, while Roma opted for Ranieri's softer approach this season, creating a relaxed and positive atmosphere, Juventus, facing much less time, chose Tudor's opposite approach — a tough, disciplined regime. Given the current squad, which lacks major stars but includes many young, talented players with room to grow, they'll likely embrace the discipline and work hard under their new coach.

Yet there's a lingering feeling of uncertainty, as if Tudor's arrival is merely temporary. Juventus ideally dreams of Zinedine Zidane as a long-term solution, or at least Mancini.

Published by Patrick Jane
24.03.2025