Too much time wasted before turning to Tudor; harsh words after the Coppa Italia defeat weighed heavily
The official announcement came Sunday afternoon, but it was a decision that had seemed inevitable for weeks: Thiago Motta is no longer the coach of Juventus. A choice that came too late, almost contradicting the club’s past practices, especially its “Juventus-style” philosophy based on clarity, promptness, and decisiveness during tough times. This decision also contradicted the words of Sporting Director Giuntoli after the debacle in Florence, when the Bianconeri official had declared his intention to continue with Motta’s project. The club’s announcement, which simultaneously introduced Igor Tudor, closed a chapter that never truly opened, characterized by misunderstandings and performances far below expectations.
It wasn’t necessary to wait this long to realize the relationship between the Italian-Brazilian coach and the team had no future: first, the painful elimination from the Champions League, followed by the shocking defeat to Empoli in the Coppa Italia, had already clearly sounded alarm bells. Yet, the club chose to stall, delay, and hope for an unlikely miracle that was clearly never going to come.
The definitive break likely occurred precisely after the night against Empoli: Motta’s harsh words describing the team’s attitude as “unacceptable” marked the point of no return. A team of Juventus’s stature cannot afford days filled with tension and internal controversy that further erode an environment already wounded by negative results.
Thus, after an embarrassing week spent debating whether Motta deserved one final chance against Genoa, Juventus decided to intervene. They chose Tudor, certainly a familiar face and a man who knows the environment well, but questions remain about the timing. The Croatian coach now has little time to rebuild a confused and demoralized team.
The damage caused by this delay isn’t merely technical but primarily reputational: Juventus, which always preached unity and clarity, now appears fragile and indecisive, far from the strong image it once built. The pitch will show whether Tudor can restore the solidity Juventus has lost. What’s clear is that this time, the Bianconeri management handled a delicate situation poorly—far too poorly—a situation that undoubtedly required much greater promptness.
