These talks had been on the agenda for some time, as there’s an international break. Elkann will converse with CEO Maurizio Scanavino and sporting director Cristiano Giuntoli about the short- and long-term future, which includes a potential new home for Juventus.
Giuntoli has been busy quizzing the players about the situation of having dropped out of the Serie A top four, following back-to-back league defeats without scoring.
There are 13 players away on international duty, but Giuntoli will have already gleaned enough information to present his findings to Elkann and Scanavino.
With the Bianconeri having slipped from outside Scudetto challengers on the back of five Serie A victories, to fifth place after their hefty defeats, they are in danger of missing out on winning a Champions League berth.
Importance of European soccer
A top four finish secures a Champions League place next season, fifth position earns Europa League action next term with the Italian team in sixth spot moving into the Conference League qualifiers.
The top three of Atalanta, Inter Milan and Napoli are chasing this year’s title, which leaves six sides chasing the other three European slots.
It would be unthinkable for a club the stature of Juventus to not play in Europe next season, with failure to qualify undoubtedly resulting in Thiago Motta’s tenure as head coach ending in a sacking. It would cost the club in the region of €15 million (US$16.25m) to dispense with his services after one year.
The three-year Project Motta is anticipated to be continued with the home game against Genoa on 29 March. Juve’s mid-table opponents have hit a purple patch, and on a run of one defeat in six matches, so it will be a challenge for the Bianconeri to pick up maximum points.
Giuntoli retains faith in Motta
Another heavy defeat and even Giuntoli’s relentless support of Motta, who he picked to lead a new era for the Turin giants after years of being in the doldrums, could be tested to the hilt.
No short-term decision regarding Motta is expected to materialize from today’s meeting, although there surely will be a back-up plan installed that will be who to appoint on an interim basis if Motta is given the boot mid-season.
Promotion from within the club or bringing in a big name boss would appear to be the only viable short-term solutions.
Interim head coach possibilities
Massimo Brambilla and Francisco Magnanelli could jointly lead the team through until the end of the season. Brambilla is the Juve’s Next Gen coach, who is successfully tackling Serie C, with former Sassuolo midfielder Magnanelli in charge of the club’s U20 team (known as the Primavera).
There are a trio of potential candidates who could fill Motta’s shoes if the axe is wielded mid-season. Ex-Italy manager Roberto Mancini, former Lazio and Udinese head coach Igor Tudor who is the Croatian boss, and Xavi who was a legend at Barcelona as a player and then manager.
Giuntoli’s words of wisdom will be taken onboard by Elkann and Scanavino, but his unwavering faith in Motta is likely to be questioned as they kick about solutions for Juve’s short- and long-term success.