Thiago Motta has been named the new head coach of Juventus, signing a contract until 2027, Soccernet.football reports.
The 41-year-old replaces Massimiliano Allegri, who was sacked in May despite winning the Coppa Italia.
Motta joins Juventus from Bologna, where he led the team to Champions League qualification for the first time since 1964-65.
He expressed his excitement about the new role, saying, “I am really happy to begin a new chapter at a great club like Juventus. I thank the owners and management for their trust and aim to keep the Juventus flag flying high.”
The former midfielder, who played for Brazil and Italy at the international level, took charge of Bologna in September 2022, guiding them to ninth place in Serie A in his first season.
This season, he achieved a top-five finish, securing a return to Europe’s elite competition. Bologna announced last month that Motta had decided not to continue as their coach, thanking him for his contributions.
Motta’s playing career included stints at Barcelona, Atletico Madrid, Genoa, Inter Milan, and Paris Saint-Germain, winning 28 trophies, including the Champions League with both Barcelona and Inter.
Allegri, who won the Serie A title in each of his first five seasons with Juventus and reached the Champions League final twice, had a less successful second stint. The Coppa Italia win was the club’s only trophy since his return in 2021.
Alessandro Nesta appointed as Monza manager
Italy legend Alessandro Nesta has been appointed the new manager of Monza. The 48-year-old replaces Raffaele Palladino, who recently moved to Fiorentina.
Nesta, a World Cup winner in 2006 and one of football’s greatest defenders, has had a modest managerial career compared to his playing days. He previously managed Perugia, Frosinone, and Reggiana, leading Reggiana to an 11th-place finish in Italy’s second tier last season.
Nesta now takes charge of Monza, who finished 12th in their second Serie A campaign.