Thiago Motta’s first season as Juventus manager has been far from smooth, with mounting criticism and uncertainty surrounding his future. After 28 Serie A matches, Juventus sits fourth in the table with 52 points, nine points behind league leaders Inter. With Champions League qualification now the club’s primary goal, the pressure on Motta has intensified. The final months of the season will be pivotal in determining whether he remains at the helm next year.
Challenges and Criticism
Dario Canovi, a prominent member of Motta’s entourage, recently addressed the situation in an interview. He remarked, “So far, it has been a turbulent experience. Last year, everyone spoke highly of him; now, only negativity surrounds him. He has made mistakes, but no one has objectively analyzed what has happened to Juventus over the past eight months.” Canovi also defended Motta by highlighting the unrealistic expectations placed on both him and Juventus’ squad: “Thiago Motta will become one of the best coaches in Europe. I’ve been in football for 50 years, and I believe this. People expected too much from him and from Juventus’ transfer market. Andrea Berta told me that Juve’s roster is only good enough for fourth or fifth place.”
Injury Struggles and Squad Issues
The season has been plagued by injuries to key players, further complicating Motta’s task. Canovi explained: “Douglas Luiz played little because of a series of injuries. Gonzalez and Koopmeiners missed preseason training. Thiago has never had his first-choice defense available and is working with the second-youngest squad in Serie A.” He also dismissed criticism of Motta’s frequent lineup changes, stating they were “necessitated by injuries,” adding that Motta “chooses players based on merit.”
Misplaced Expectations
Canovi pushed back against claims that Juventus should have been Scudetto contenders this season: “It’s wrong to think that Juve’s squad was capable of fighting for the title at the start of the year. Anyone who says that doesn’t understand football. Milan’s squad is stronger than Juve’s. Under Motta, Weah is becoming one of the best full-backs around.”
Looking Ahead
Motta’s future remains uncertain despite having another year left on his contract. Canovi emphasized that the decision lies with Juventus’ management: “Thiago has a contract for another year. You’d have to ask Giuntoli and the directors what will happen—they are the ones who must decide.” Meanwhile, Motta remains focused on his work and expects his players to do the same: “He thinks only about working hard every day and asks his players to do their best.”
