The former Bologna boss was meant to turn back time to when the Bianconeri were the most feared club in Italy. He was reassuringly going to deliver exciting soccer full of goals and glory by getting the best out of some of the world’s top players.
Motta kicked off his squad revamp by shipping out players that he deemed were surplus to his stubborn tactics. Some were released, others sold or loaned out.
Sporting director Cristiano Giuntoli willingly splashed the cash, having hand-picked Motta, with a summer spending spree of €200 million (US$217m). This included big bucks on midfielders Douglas Luiz and Teun Koopmeiners, who failed to show even glimpses of their ability for the Turin titans.
Six of the best
Although Motta made a magnificent start with his first six games at the helm, Juventus became inconsistent following injuries to key defenders. His subsequent winter transfer signings have been sub-standard for a club the stature of Juventus.
Motta kept players on their toes by constantly altering his starting line-ups, only favouring certain players, and bizarrely changing the captaincy on a regular basis. These factors meant the team never really gelled on the pitch.
Not losing matches was more important than winning to Motta during his two seasons at Bologna. He brought that same mentality to Juventus, with too many stalemates proving to be his downfall.
Vlahovic fell down pecking order
Although Serbia striker Dusan Vlahovic was banging in the goals this term, he was getting very little service from Motta’s formations. The arrival of Paris Saint-Germain outcast Kolo Muani saw the French international constantly given the nod over Juve’s top scorer this season, with Muani making an instant impact in his first three Serie A matches.
Muani’s magic lifted the spirits of the side. Even when the goals dried up for the French international, Motta’s men reeled off five league wins on the bounce. These victories were all very unconvincing, yet fans dared to dream that the Bianconeri had an outside shot at winning the Scudetto.
Becoming a title challenger was a distraction after embarrassing cup exits in the Champions League and Coppa Italia, which gave Motta more time at the helm.
Beaten, battered and brushed aside
After being dismantled 4-0 at home by Atalanta, the next match was a must-win. After conceding two goals in quick succession at Fiorentina, heads dropped and the players seemed to have no conviction.
Having gone from title chasers to slipping out of the top four berth that guarantees Champions League soccer next term, was a disaster.
Motta failed to turn up for the club’s post-match press duties following the 3-0 flop in Florence, with Giuntoli taking over. Although Giuntoli stated that Motta’s job was safe it didn’t seem that way.
Three-year Project Motta was starting to crumble, as without the finances and prestige from competing in the Champions League the club would lose its identity.
Even a trophy is not enough
Juventus demand success, and even sack managers who win trophies. Maurizio Sarri, Andrea Pirlo and Max Allegri all got the boot shortly after securing silverware. Motta never came close to lifting any trophies, and the club felt that they couldn’t trust him to tackle the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup finals in June and July.
Motta was sacrificed, and now Igor Tudor is back at the club. The Croatia manager has been installed on an interim basis, with his goal to finish in the top four.
Tudor knows the club well having played for Juve and been assistant coach to Pirlo. He kicks off training today without 13 players who are away on international duty, and is a big fan of Vlahovic.
Time for Tudor to shine
The Bianconeri have nine matches to rescue their season and lie just one point behind fourth-placed Bologna. Tudor will tackle mid-table Genoa on Saturday followed by ever-improving AS Roma the following weekend.
Tudor will be handed three easier games after this pair of blockbusters with Lecce, Parma and Monza as opponents ahead of tough matches against Bologna and Lazio.
The Serie A season ends with what on paper looks like maximum points for Juve, with the last home match against Udinese followed by a trip to Venezia.
Reason for change of coach
Patience is low at Juventus, mainly because of the club’s financial thirst and history of success, so Tudor has to deliver the goods in a short space of time as the club will have had to fork out at least €15m (US$16.25m) to dismiss Motta and his coaching staff.
Tudor will immediately be under the media microscope and is expected to return Juventus to winning ways. As he tends to favour playing three in defense, his pressing strategy and tactics to try and constantly win back the ball is entertaining but has flaws.
This appointment of Tudor is partly to end Juve’s recent identity crisis, and partly to appease club owner John Elkann by stopping the rot that was running throughout Juventus under Motta.