Why Juventus do not want to sack Thiago Motta before Genoa | OneFootball

Saturday’s reports claim that Juventus are inclined to sack Thiago Motta after their first match after the international break – against Genoa in Serie A – but questions have been asked as to why the coach is still in charge if the club have practically already decided to end his tenure. Here’s why.

Thiago Motta background at Juventus

The 2024-25 season has not been the smoothest for Juventus.

Though they went on an unbeaten run that lasted until the beginning of 2025, Juventus finished the calendar year with their second-worst points return in the Serie A three-point era, and have since been knocked out of both the Champions League and Coppa Italia by underdog opposition, and have recently suffered embarrassing 4-0 and 3-0 defeats against Atalanta and Fiorentina.

This has put Motta’s job at serious risk, and now reports suggest that former Italy national team head coach Roberto Mancini is in line to replace him on a short-term contract with an option to extend if the Bianconeri manage to qualify for the Champions League.

AL RAYYAN, QATAR – JANUARY 25: Roberto Mancini, Head Coach of Saudi Arabia reacts during the AFC Asian Cup Group F match between Saudi Arabia and Thailand at Education City Stadium on January 25, 2024 in Al Rayyan, Qatar. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)

Why Juventus will not sack Thiago Motta before Genoa

According to Saturday’s reports from TMW, Juventus’s decision to stick with Motta until after the Genoa game, rather than sacking him before, is purely down to financial reasons; the main reason being that the club’s quarterly accounts will be settled at the end of the month.

CAGLIARI, ITALY – FEBRUARY 23: Thiago Motta looks on during the Serie A match between Cagliari and Juventus at Sardegna Arena on February 23, 2025 in Cagliari, Italy. (Photo by Enrico Locci/Getty Images)

Sacking Motta and presumably his coaching staff as well is expected to cost the club in excess of €15m, not including the potential fees involved with hiring his successor.

By keeping hold of Motta until after the Genoa match – scheduled for March 29 – and possibly holding off on sacking him until the following Monday (April 1), Juventus will be able factor Motta’s dismissal into the following quarter’s budget instead of the current one.