Three reasons why Juventus have not fired manager Thiago Motta | OneFootball

Seven goals were conceded and zero were scored. This is Juventus’ record over their last two matches in the Serie A. The 4-0 defeat to Atalanta set a new low for the club as under-fire Thiago Motta had to manage a positive result against Fiorentina to save his job. He failed to overcome the Viola as Juventus lost by three goals without even finding the net once.

The two results have jeopardised the Bianconeri’s plans to finish top four this season after Bologna surpassed them to occupy 4th place in the league standings. While rumours were strong about Motta’s departure, Juventus sporting director Cristiano Giuntoli put his faith in the Italian and reiterated that he would continue till the end of the season.

Here are the three reasons as noted by Fabio Russo in La Gazzetta dello Sport which made Juventus rethink the immediate sacking of their manager following the two humiliating losses.

First of all, there is a lack of alternatives on the market right now in the case of managers. The only two competitive coaches at par with Juventus’ level are Igor Tudor and Roberto Mancini. While they remain strong candidates to lead the charge for next season, the Bianconeri are aware that neither of the two will come as an interim manager for the final nine games of the season without knowing which European competition will the club play in the next campaign. Apart from this, the cost of departing with Motta is set to go above €10 million and the expenses of appointing a new manager at this stage are not economically viable.

Secondly, Juventus are considering the many strides accomplished under Motta and they still believe in him for taking the side to finish in the top four. The 42-year-old knows the team’s capabilities and he has the potential to make the turnaround following the international break. Bringing a new manager would be a sign of giving up on the season as the new man would take time to assess the strengths and weaknesses of the squad.

Finally, the Juventus management is putting a part of the blame on the players for the results of these two matches. Instead of heaping the manager with total responsibility, the management has understood that the squad has not performed well to its standards.

Juventus are still banking on Motta’s ability to rebound and he must see the last nine games of the season as an opportunity to stay at the club for next season.

Trambak Bhattacherjee | GIFN