As the transfer window closes, Juventus find themselves at a critical juncture. Calciomercato report how, with no more excuses left, Cristiano Giuntoli and Thiago Motta’s Juventus team looks in the mirror, buoyed by their comeback victory against Empoli, and focuses on the remainder of the season with one thought in mind: failure to achieve the minimum goal of qualifying for the next Champions League is not an option, lest the entire ‘project’ collapses.
Giuntoli’s third transfer market at Juventus has just concluded. Discounting the summer of 2023 when he arrived mid-market and was essentially a spectator (with Weah being the only acquisition, handled by Manna), the Football Director has now managed three transfer windows for the Bianconeri: January 2024 (a failure, with the short-lived Alcaraz and Djalò), summer 2024 (a significant market with nine acquisitions – many of which disappointed – and notable departures like Chiesa and Szczęsny), and finally January 2025.
The recently concluded January 2025 window leaves many unresolved issues. In attack, Randal Kolo Muani arrived, but only on a dry loan, while Dusan Vlahovic’s renewal situation grows increasingly precarious. In midfield, Nicolò Fagioli’s departure puts pressure on underperformers like Teun Koopmeiners and Douglas Luiz to step up. Defensively, Juventus seems to have moved too late and poorly in replacing the injured Bremer and Cabal, bringing in less prominent names like Renato Veiga, Lloyd Kelly, and Alberto Costa. All this is compounded by the questionable manner in which team captain Danilo was shown the door.
However, it is Thiago Motta’s performance that will determine the future of Giuntoli’s Juventus project. After numerous draws in the first half of the season leaving Juventus in fifth place, unfulfilled promises of attractive play, sometimes convoluted tactical choices, and confrontations with key players (Danilo, Gatti, Vlahovic, Cambiaso), the Italian-Brazilian coach cannot afford any more mistakes. While Motta still enjoys the full confidence of Giuntoli and the ownership, failure to qualify for the Champions League by June, or a significant downturn in results, could make his position untenable.
Motta is Giuntoli’s direct choice, handpicked and defended thus far. Consequently, the coach’s failure would also reflect on the director. While it might not immediately jeopardize Giuntoli’s position at Juventus, it would certainly make any subsequent managerial appointment truly make-or-break for his tenure.
