Following Juventus’s disappointing 4-0 defeat at home to Atalanta, which marked their heaviest home loss since 1967, the position of coach Thiago Motta has come under increased scrutiny.
Despite being contracted until June 2027, there were reports suggesting Motta’s job could be in jeopardy if Juventus suffered another significant loss against Fiorentina.
Tuttosport sought the opinions of three former Juventus players on the best course of action for the club regarding Motta.
Alessandro Birindelli expressed hesitation about dismissing Motta immediately, acknowledging the team’s current struggles. He pointed out that the squad’s quality has been affected by reliance on underperforming players and a lack of leadership figures, referencing the past influence of Chiellini and Buffon. Birindelli also questioned the decision to let Danilo depart, suggesting both Motta and the club share responsibility for the current situation. He advocated for evaluating the progress until the season’s end and considering the initial objectives.
Nicola Legrottaglie believes the decision regarding Motta’s future rests with Juventus’s management. He stated that if the directors retain faith in Motta, they should continue their support. Conversely, if their belief has waned, Legrottaglie argued for a swift replacement to avoid prolonging uncertainty.
Dino Zoff, legendary goalkeeper and 1982 World Cup winner, believes there is still time for Motta. He thinks Juventus can still achieve a strong finish to the season and secure a top-four league position. However, he conceded that the recent heavy defeat was a significant setback.
Leonardo Bonucci echoed Zoff’s sentiment, suggesting Motta requires more time. Bonucci previously mentioned that Antonio Conte would be a suitable choice for Juventus if their priority is immediate success in the next season.
Currently, Juventus occupies the fourth position in Serie A, trailing Atalanta by six points and holding a narrow one-point lead over Lazio.