Juventus manager Thiago Motta has been awarded the infamous ‘Tapiro d’Oro’ (Golden Tapir) by the popular Italian satirical news program Striscia la Notizia, highlighting the club’s recent difficulties both domestically and in Europe.
The Italian-Brazilian coach, who took charge of the Bianconeri at the beginning of the season, has faced a challenging period with the team struggling in Serie A and facing a crucial Champions League playoff against PSV Eindhoven.
When asked about the current situation at Juventus, Motta responded with a measured tone, stating, “It’s just one of those moments, and we’re trying to overcome it.” This acknowledgment of the team’s struggles comes as Juventus finds themselves far from the top of the Serie A table, currently dominated by Antonio Conte’s Napoli, and out of the Scudetto race.
The conversation then turned to Motta’s future at the club. When questioned if he would still be at the helm come Easter (traditionally symbolized by the colomba, or Easter dove cake in Italy), Motta remained non-committal: “Who knows… In this job, we always think about the next match. We can’t afford to think about anything else.”
The interview also touched upon a reported altercation with Napoli coach Antonio Conte during a recent match. Motta deflected, saying, “I applauded the referee because he had an excellent game. I didn’t see what Conte did.”
