The recent humiliating defeat against Empoli in the Coppa Italia has put Juventus in a precarious position. Despite Managing Director Football Cristiano Giuntoli’s public show of support for coach Thiago Motta, stating that “Motta is not under discussion,” the club finds itself at a critical juncture. With the minimum goal of Champions League qualification now a must, both the coach and the team are under immense pressure to deliver results without excuses.
Calciomercato report that while Motta is not at immediate risk of being sacked, his future at Juventus will be subject to a thorough evaluation at the season’s end. Interestingly, even securing Champions League qualification might not be enough to guarantee his position for the next season. This uncertainty has fueled speculation about potential successors, with names like Antonio Conte, Gian Piero Gasperini, Igor Tudor, and Roberto De Zerbi being mentioned in Italian media circles.
The situation becomes more complex when considering Giuntoli’s position. As the director who strongly advocated for Motta’s appointment and orchestrated Massimiliano Allegri’s departure, Giuntoli’s judgment is intrinsically linked to Motta’s performance. The current Juventus squad is a product of Giuntoli’s choices, made with Motta’s preferences in mind. This creates a scenario where the fates of both the coach and the director are intertwined.
However, it’s not uncommon in football for directors to change their stance on coaches they initially backed for long-term projects. If Motta were to be dismissed, the decision on his replacement might bypass Giuntoli altogether. There’s a possibility that club ownership, specifically John Elkann, could take a more direct role in selecting the new coach, leaving Giuntoli to focus solely on transfer market operations.
This potential shift in decision-making highlights a broader issue within Juventus’ management structure. The club appears to lack sufficient football-specific expertise at the top level, with CEO Maurizio Scanavino and President Gianluca Ferrero, while accomplished in their respective fields, not being traditional “football men.” This situation underscores the need for additional experienced football directors to support Giuntoli in navigating the club through this challenging period.
