Juventus market, call for Thiago Motta: bianconeri hopefuls
Another call for Thiago Motta: the Italo-Brazilian coach, stationary since last March after his exoneration from Juventus, has reportedly been contacted by a La Liga club, Real Sociedad, looking for a coach after Sergio Francisco’s exoneration. Thiago Motta is still on the Bianconeri payroll after his brief and unhappy experience in Turin, which ended last March 23 with the farewell of the former Azzurro: since then Motta has turned down offers from several interested clubs, waiting for the right proposal. According to Spanish newspaper Marca, Thiago Motta is among the favored coaches for the Basque club bench.
The former Bianconero would be competing with former Hoffenheim coach Pellegrino Matarazzo, and is liked because he already knows La Liga after his experiences as a player at Barcelona and Atletico Madrid, and for his work with young people. Juventus is crossing its fingers: the farewell of Thiago Motta, under contract until 2027, would lead to savings of more than 8 million euros. Real Sociedad is currently fourth-last in La Liga with only a one-point margin over the relegation zone, and in San Sebastian they are looking for an immediate turnaround. Jon Ansotegi will be the interim coach in the upcoming matches.
“Real Sociedad decided today to relieve Sergio Francisco, who will no longer lead the first team. Iosu Rivas’assistant coach Iosu Rivas will also leave his post – is the company statement -. Real Sociedad wishes to recognize the professionalism, commitment and dedication shown by Sergio Francisco, both during his time at the helm of the first team and during his years with the club. During his more than eleven years as coach of our youth sector, he has been a key figure in the final stage of the development of our young players. In addition to the promotions achieved with both the C team and Sanse (Real Sociedad B), many of the players who are and will be part of the first team have benefited from his guidance along the way”.
Thiago Motta in recent months reportedly turned down proposals from other clubs such as Spartak Moscow and Monaco. Juventus currently has three coaches under contract: in addition to Motta there’s current Bianconeri coach Luciano Spalletti and Igor Tudor, who was exonerated at the end of October. “Definitely, I am disappointed because it did not go as we hoped, especially in the Coppa Italia and Champions” explained Motta after his farewell to Juve.
“However, I do not agree when I hear talk of failure: our work was interrupted when we were one point away from fourth place in the standings, which was, at the beginning of the season, the priority goal. Judging me as a coach, criticizing my choices of the field, of players, of tactics, everything that has to do with soccer I accept and will always accept. And indeed they are analyses that help to grow. However, I do not accept personal attacks”.
