Juventus Appoint Thiago Motta as New Head Coach

 In a major managerial shakeup, Juventus has appointed Thiago Motta as their new head coach, replacing Massimiliano Allegri. The announcement came on Wednesday, with Juventus confirming the Italian-Brazilian has signed a contract until June 30, 2027.

"Juventus is delighted to announce Thiago Motta as the new First Team head coach," read the club's official statement. "The Italian-Brazilian has signed an agreement with the Club until June 30, 2027."

Motta's rise to prominence came with Bologna, where he led the team to a historic Champions League qualification in his second season. This achievement drew the attention of several top European clubs. Under Motta, Bologna adopted a possession-based style of play, characterized by an advanced press and building from the back, which won over fans who were initially skeptical when he replaced Sinisa Mihajlovic in September 2022.

Despite a rocky start at Bologna, where he failed to secure a win in his first four matches, Motta guided the team to a ninth-place finish in the 2022-23 season. Bologna then became the surprise package of the following season, losing just six games to finish fifth.

"I am really happy to begin a new chapter at the helm of a great club like Juventus," said Motta. "I thank the owners and the management, who can be sure of my ambition to keep the Juventus flag flying high and to please the fans."

Motta's managerial journey has seen him at the helm of Genoa, albeit briefly, and Spezia, where he secured Serie A survival in a single season. His tenure at Bologna ended last month after he chose not to renew his contract.

Massimiliano Allegri was dismissed on May 17 following his conduct during and after the Coppa Italia final win over Atalanta, which was deemed "incompatible with the values of Juventus" by the club. Allegri was sent off towards the end of the match for vehemently protesting refereeing decisions and later clashed with match officials, Juventus staff, and a newspaper director.

Last season, Juventus struggled in their quest for the Scudetto. Despite an early challenge to eventual champions Inter Milan, their form dipped significantly, managing just three wins in their final 17 league games.

The appointment of Motta signals a new direction for Juventus as they aim to reclaim their dominance in Serie A and make a mark in European competitions.