In the aftermath of Juventus’ shocking Coppa Italia elimination by Empoli, tensions are running high within the club. A Juventus player has reportedly expressed his frustration with head coach Thiago Motta, stating, “I can’t stand him, and I’m not alone,” according to Corriere della Sera.
This revelation comes on the heels of Motta’s scathing criticism of his team following their penalty shootout loss to Empoli in the Coppa Italia quarter-finals. The coach didn’t mince words, saying, “I feel ashamed, and I hope the players feel the same.”
Despite the growing discontent, Juventus’ sporting director Cristiano Giuntoli has publicly backed Motta, insisting that the coach’s position is not under threat. However, rumors are already circulating about potential replacements for next season, with names like Conte, Gasperini, Mancini, and Tudor being mentioned.
Motta, who joined Juventus last summer after leading Bologna to a Champions League spot with a fifth-place finish, is under contract until June 2027 with an annual net salary of 3.5 million euros. This makes him the third highest-paid coach in Italy, behind only Antonio Conte at Napoli and Simone Inzaghi at Inter, who both earn 6.5 million euros net per season.
The situation at Juventus remains tense, with the team’s poor performances and the coach’s harsh words creating a rift between Motta and his players. As the season progresses, it remains to be seen whether the club will continue to back their embattled coach or seek a change in leadership to turn their fortunes around.
