It has now been confirmed by Juventus, that former Uruguayan defender, Paolo Montero, will now take charge at the Allianz Stadium for the final two matches of the 2023/24 Serie A campaign following the sacking of former manager Massimiliano Allegri.
The 52 year old defender spent nine years at the club back between the 1996/2005 seasons and in that time he helped us to four Serie A titles, and he returned to the club in 2022 as our new Under 19 coach, but after recent controversies, he will now lead the senior side for Monday’s game against Bologna, and the curtain closer against Monza next Sunday.
A statement from the club simply read.
“Paolo is a Juventus legend, firstly on the pitch, and someone who has long been a bearer of the club’s DNA on the bench.”
Everyone will be hoping the club can have a final flourish under his charge, as they have drawn their last five league matches and they are currently sat in fourth place in the Serie A table, a full 25 points behind champions elect Inter Milan and the Bianconeri’s successive title win run feels like an age ago now.
Agent Max’s five in a row, allied to his additional success and a 70.48% win record, meant he could do no wrong in the eyes of many in the fanbase, but his return to the club in 2021 just never recaptured the original magic of his first spell in charge of The Old Lady, and frustrations have clearly boiled over, both on and off the pitch.
Despite taking a 1-0 win over Atalanta in the Italian Cup, he was sent off late on in the final for ranting at match officials, and then he waved away the club’s sporting director during the final celebrations. Two days later, a club statement confirmed his sacking citing ‘certain behaviours deemed incompatible with the values of Juventus’.
Prior to the club’s announcement of his departure, the Italian Football Federation’s disciplinary tribunal confirmed they had launched an investigation into the event.
It is a sad end to his Juventus career, particularly as he had just picked up a record fifth Coppa Italia as a manager, and his own statement was short and sweet – focused on the ‘strong team’ he leaves behind.
Although his departure comes early, it was expected that a change would be made this summer as almost all rumour mill reports had the club lining up Bologna coach Thiago Motta to be appointed as his replacement.
