Juventus SACK Thiago Motta and announce former star as his replacement in 78-word statement

JUVENTUS have sacked manager Thiago Motta after just eight months in charge of the club.

The Italian giants have already announced Motta will be replaced with a former star.

Rex

Thiago Motta has been sacked as Juventus manager[/caption]

Motta leaves Juventus with the club sat fifth in Serie A, some 12 points off league leaders Inter Milan after 29 games.

The former Barcelona and PSG midfielder will now be replaced by Igor Tudor, who will take charge almost immediately.

A club statement read: “Juventus FC announces that it has relieved Thiago Motta of his duties as coach of the men’s first team.

“The Club thanks Thiago Motta and all his staff for the professionalism demonstrated and for the work carried out in these months with passion and dedication, wishing them the best for the future.

“Juventus FC also announces that it has entrusted the leadership of the Men’s First Team to Igor Tudor who will lead the first training session tomorrow.”

Motta has only lost three league games as Juve boss this season, but had seen his side draw as many games as they had won – 13.

His sacking will come as a surprise to many with the Old Lady known to try and avoid dismissing managers mid-season.

Motta becomes only the fourth boss to be sacked mid-way through a season in the last 50 years – joining Max Allegri, Claudio Ranieri and Alberto Zaccheroni on the unwanted list.

Motta’s replacement, Igor Tudor, returns to Juve 18 years after leaving the club as a player in 2007.

Croation Tudor played 174 times for Juventus between 1998 and 2007, and turned his hand to coaching after retirement in 2008.

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