Juventus hire Thiago Motta as manager after Bologna success

Juventus have hired Thiago Motta to replace Massimiliano Allegri as their manager, the Italian giants announced Wednesday.

“Juventus is delighted to announce Thiago Motta as the new First Team head coach. The Italian-Brazilian has signed an agreement with the Club until June 30, 2027,” Juventus said in a statement.

Allegri was fired for his antics at the end of his team’s Coppa Italia final win over Atalanta, while Bologna confirmed before the end of the Serie A season that Motta would not extend his contract at the club.

“I am really happy to begin a new chapter at the helm of a great club like Juventus,” Motta said as part of Juventus’ announcement. “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, 41, helped Bologna secure Champions League football in his second campaign with the northern Italian team — the first time they have done so since 1964.

Prior to Bologna, Motta guided Spezia to Serie A survival in 2021-22, though his first managerial role at Genoa ended after just two months in 2020.

The Brazil-born former Italy international enjoyed an illustrious playing career with Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain and Juventus’ rivals Inter Milan, with whom he won a historic treble under José Mourinho’s management in 2009-10.

Motta’s Bologna played Juventus in their penultimate game of the Serie A season, surrendering a three-goal lead to the Bianconeri in the final 15 minutes as Paolo Montero took interim charge of the Turin-based club following Allegri’s dismissal.

Allegri’s contract was formally terminated earlier in June via mutual agreement.