In a bold move on March 23, 2025, Juventus Football Club announced the firing of head coach Thiago Motta just eight months into his tenure, replacing him with former player Igor Tudor. This decision follows a string of disheartening results that left the club in fifth place, trailing league leaders Inter Milan by 12 points.
Motta was appointed by Juventus in June 2024 after leading Bologna to Champions League qualification in his last season there. However, his time at Juventus saw a series of disappointing performances, culminating in a humiliating 4-0 defeat at home to Atalanta and a subsequent 3-0 loss to Fiorentina, prompting the club to seek change.
“Juventus FC announces that it has relieved Thiago Motta of his position as coach of the men’s first team,” the club stated in an official release. “Juventus FC also announces that it has entrusted the leadership of the Men’s First Team to Igor Tudor, who will direct the first training session tomorrow.”
Contrary to the hope Motta embodied when he first joined the team, Juventus’s recent losses have threatened to derail their season. Motta’s overall record with the club stood at 18 wins, 16 draws, and 8 losses across all competitions. His failure to secure consistent results raised doubts among the management about his long-term suitability for the role.
In addition to disappointing match outcomes, the club’s leadership was concerned about a loss in their competitive identity—their famous motto, “Fino alla fine” (Until the end), seemed overshadowed. They noted that in games where Juventus fell behind, they drew or lost 87.5 percent of the time, a statistic that starkly underlines their inability to compete effectively.
Motta’s managerial style often involved radical shifts to the team lineup, deploying a staggering 39 different formations during his time in charge, which likely contributed to a lack of cohesion and spark on the pitch.
Ironically, as part of his attempts to rejuvenate the squad, Motta made notable decisions, such as sidelining established players like Dusan Vlahovic and Kenan Yildiz, moves that were met with skepticism by fans and analysts alike.
Just recently, Juventus’s European ambitions suffered a setback when they were knocked out of the Champions League playoffs by PSV Eindhoven, followed by a disappointing defeat to Empoli in the Coppa Italia quarter-finals. This summer's appointments, including big signings, had failed to deliver the anticipated results, compounding the pressure on the young coach.
Juventus's leadership recognizes that the next step is crucial. Igor Tudor, now 46, enters the role carrying the weight of expectations. Having previously played for the club, making 174 appearances, and serving as Andrea Pirlo’s assistant during the 2020 season, Tudor knows Juventus’s culture intimately.
The club’s official statement emphasized their gratitude for Motta’s contributions, wishing him well in future pursuits while expressing hope that Tudor can lead the team to success.
If Juventus qualifies for the Champions League, Tudor’s contract will be extended for another year, with the option for the club to opt out by July 30. His first test will be against Genoa on March 29, and expectations will be high for not just results, but for a return to the competitive edge that Juventus fans have long cherished.
With only nine matches remaining in the Serie A season, the race for the Champions League qualification spot intensifies—just six points separate Bologna in fourth from ninth-placed AC Milan. Tudor’s challenge will thus not only be to restore confidence and performance but also to ensure Juventus can reclaim their rightful place among Europe’s elite clubs.
As this new chapter unfolds in the storied history of Juventus, many will be watching closely how Tudor approaches this critical period. Will he maintain the club's competitive spirit or suffer the same fate as his predecessor? The fate of Juventus lies entirely in the next few matches.
