Juventus are preparing to part ways with Thiago Motta, with former Lazio boss Igor Tudor set to take over.
Despite losing only three league games this season, Juve’s inconsistency, particularly their high number of draws, has seen them slip to fifth in Serie A, jeopardising their Champions League qualification hopes.
Tudor, who previously played for Juventus between 1998 and 2007 and served as assistant manager under Andrea Pirlo in 2020/21, has reportedly agreed to a contract, according to Fabrizio Romano.
The Croatian coach has experience in Serie A, having managed Udinese, Hellas Verona, and most recently Lazio, where he resigned after just three months in charge last summer.
His return could be key to revitalizing Juventus‘ attack, particularly striker Dusan Vlahovic, whom Tudor once called “the best striker in the league.” Vlahovic has struggled for form and minutes this season, playing second fiddle to Randal Kolo Muani.
Juventus’ Season So Far
Thiago Motta’s first season in charge at Juventus may well end up being his last, especially if results don’t pick up soon. His tenure at Juventus started strongly, with his side going unbeaten in Serie A until late January 2025.
Juventus also looked like capable competitors in the Champions League with group-stage wins over PSV, Red Bull Leipzig and Manchester City as the highlights. However, PSV would get their revenge, knocking Juventus out of the competition after extra time in the first knockout round.
In the run-up to the international break Juventus lost back-to-back games to Atalanta (4-0) and Fiorentina (3-0). After the match in Florence, Serie A officials issued Fiorentina a €50,000 fine for an expletive-based tifo that targeted Juventus.
The loss was particularly damaging, as Fiorentina now sit just four points behind Juve in eighth place. Their Coppa Italia exit earlier in the season means Juventus are set for another trophyless campaign unless they turn things around.
What’s Next for Juventus?
The club’s immediate goal is to reclaim a Champions League spot, but even if Tudor is appointed, the task won’t be easy. Juventus are currently 12 points behind league leaders Inter Milan and needs to leapfrog Motta’s former side Bologna to return to Europe’s elite competition.
Tudor may also need to make a decision about if the club will re-sign Paul Pogba following the end of his 18-month doping ban in March. Pogba has previously had two spells in Turin in 2012 to 2016 and then again in 2022 until his contract was terminated by mutual consent in November 2024.
This summer Juventus will also take part in the Club World Cup in the United States, where they are set to face Wydad Casablanca, UAE’s Al-Ain, and Manchester City.
Whether Motta will still be in charge for those matches or if Tudor will take the reins remains to be seen.