Leonardo Bonucci, a former Juventus player, believes that if Juventus aims for immediate victories, they should consider hiring Antonio Conte as their coach. However, he also argues that Thiago Motta needs time to implement his vision, and it would be unfair to solely blame him for the team’s current situation.
Thiago Motta’s position has come under increased scrutiny, especially after a significant 4-0 defeat to Atalanta. While Juventus management has denied contacting potential replacements, the upcoming matches will be crucial in determining Motta’s future at the club.
In a discussion with a sports newspaper, Bonucci was questioned about who he thinks would be the best coach for Juventus next season.
Bonucci responded that the ideal coach depends on Juventus’s objectives. He pointed out that while Juventus invested in players, including young talents, if the goal is to win right away, then Antonio Conte is the answer. Alternatively, if the club is willing to build for the future, then giving Motta and the sporting director time to establish a foundation would be the better approach.
Reports suggest that Conte is among the candidates Juventus might consider if they decide to replace Motta at the end of the season. Other coaches like Gian Piero Gasperini and Roberto De Zerbi have also been mentioned as potential options.
Bonucci expressed his disappointment with Juventus’s recent performance but urged for unity within the team to achieve their remaining goals, even if those goals are now modest.
Bonucci Expresses Discontent with Juventus’s Performance
“As a Juventus supporter, I am not satisfied with the results. A project requires time, and various elements within the club need to work in harmony,” Bonucci stated.
He noted that both Milan and Juventus are currently underperforming in Serie A. Bonucci believes that while Motta’s project appears inconsistent at the moment, he should be given at least another year to build a solid base for success. He acknowledged that Motta needs to improve and that Juventus should not be content with just securing a fourth-place finish, suggesting that failing to do so would be considered a failure.
Bonucci emphasized that coaching Juventus is significantly different from other clubs, something Motta needs to grasp. He recognized Motta’s intelligence and his need to identify the necessary components for success at Juventus. While acknowledging Motta’s initial struggles at Bologna, Bonucci pointed out that at Juventus, the expectation is always to win. He argued against placing excessive blame on Motta after only eight months but stressed the need for Motta to enhance his communication, suggesting that simply expressing sadness and disappointment after losses, like the one against Atalanta, is insufficient.
Despite potential disagreement, Bonucci believes in maintaining faith in Thiago Motta, suggesting it could yield positive outcomes. He credited Motta with making Juventus dominant in terms of gameplay but noted that this hasn’t translated into victories yet. Bonucci proposed that with the development of young players and the addition of a few high-quality signings, Juventus could have a stronger foundation in the next season.
Bonucci reminded that a win against Atalanta could have kept Juventus in the title race, despite the current squad not being built to win the league title immediately.
Bonucci also highlighted the lack of accountability from Juventus’s leadership, contrasting it with past instances where club figures took responsibility after significant defeats. He argued for a stronger presence of key figures within the club.
Regarding Giorgio Chiellini’s role at Juventus, Bonucci acknowledged that while Chiellini is on a path to a significant position, he cannot be seen as a quick fix to all of the club’s problems.
Bonucci concluded by affirming the need for football expertise within the club’s management alongside managerial skills.