The 42-year-old former Inter Milan star signed a three-year deal last summer to return the Bianconeri to their glory days. He had big shoes to follow after Max Allegri was given the boot following Juve’s Coppa Italia success.
Ironically, Juventus’ shock Coppa Italia quarter-final penalty shootout defeat could ultimately also cost Motta his position at the club.
Injury-ravaged Empoli recently served up a shock 1-1 stalemate in Turin, and then polished off out-of-sorts Juve by winning 4-2 on spot-kicks to book a semi-final showdown with Bologna.
Motta’s men were booed off inside the cauldron of the Allianz Stadium, with highly-valued strikers Dusan Vlahovic and Kenan Yildiz guilty of missing chances throughout the 90 minutes and then failing to score in the penalty shootout.
Having been dumped out of the Champions League the week before, Motta tactically outwitted by PSV Eindoven’s Peter Bosz, means that Juve have just the Serie A title to fight for.
Juventus lie in fourth place, having enjoyed a purple patch in terms of results despite some uninspiring displays, and sit just eight points behind table-topping Inter Milan.
The three sides above them — Inter, Napoli and Atalanta — have recently shown signs of inconsistency. If the Bianconeri continue to snatch maximum points, rather than pick up a single point to add to their 13 Serie A draws, there's every reason for players to keep pushing hard and seal an unlikely Scudetto.
The three sides above them — Inter, Napoli and Atalanta — have recently shown signs of inconsistency. If the Bianconeri continue to snatch maximum points, rather than pick up a single point to add to their 13 Serie A draws, there's every reason for players to keep pushing hard and seal an unlikely Scudetto.
Juventus director Cristiano Giuntoli hand picked Motta from Bologna to take over the reins, with the club splashing out more than €200m (US$208m) during the summer as part of the three-year Project Motta.
There were more comings and goings during the winter transfer window, with last season’s skipper Danilo leaving by mutual consent to head back to his native Brazil to play for Flamengo. There has not been the same leadership at Juventus this term that was brilliantly orchestrated by the veteran versatile defender.
Problem factors
Motta has chopped and changed his club captaincy, as well as utilised a plethora of players in their less favoured position. These factors are causing immense problems.
After being stunned in the Coppa Italia by an Empoli starting XI, which included youth team players and reserves, Motta blasted his players for the first time since joining the Turin titans.
His post-match press conference included an apology to the club and fans, as well as admitting that he was ashamed of the display as Juve had hit “rock bottom”.
It’s a risky game that Motta is playing by publicly criticizing and ranting about his players, as it may well result in losing the dressing room and ultimately lead to his downfall.
Motta came under immense pressure in early 2025 following tame displays. The club kept drumming up relentless draws, which saw Juve slip out of contention for a top four Series finish that guarantees Champions League soccer next season.
Leading an ambitious three-year project was never going to be easy, but two cup exits in the space of a week means his suitability at Juventus is questionable.
The club have suffered relentless injuries, with Motta reportedly set to scrutinise the club’s J Medical Centre in Turin to determine why he has lost so many players this term.
Former Bianconeri players have been critical of Motta all term, with claims that he hasn’t got the winning mentality that the Juventus and their supporters demand.
Securing Champions League soccer next term is an absolute priority, with Fiorentina and Lazio also in the mix for a top four berth, and without achieving this it looks like it will be curtains for Project Motta.
Fourth place is the best the club can now hope for. With Juventus needing to recoup some of the heavy outlay from the summer, the pressure is on Motta to secure the final Champions League spot.