Thiago Motta latest Italy candidate to make warring parties happy | OneFootball

The latest name for the Italy bench is another former player, Thiago Motta, who it’s reported might be able to unite Paolo Maldini, Leonardo and FIGC President Giovanni Malagò.

The hunt for a new coach continues after Carlo Ancelotti and Pep Guardiola turned down the job, while Andrea Pirlo’s nomination was scuppered by the controversy over his brand ambassador status with a Russian gambling site.

Other names were mentioned, including Antonio Conte, Roberto Mancini, Raffaele Palladino, Stefano Pioli and even former Fiorentina boss Paolo Vanoli.

Thiago Motta new Italy favourite

TURIN, ITALY – FEBRUARY 26: Thiago Motta, Head Coach of Juventus, reacts during the Coppa Italia Quarter Final match between Juventus FC and Empoli FC at Allianz Stadium on February 26, 2025 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images)

However, La Gazzetta dello Sport point towards Thiago Motta, claiming that talks are in progress with the Italo-Brazilian.

It is believed he would unite the desire of Maldini and Leonardo to bring in a new approach to the sport, along with Malagò’s demands for a more experienced figure.

Thiago Motta turns 44 next month and played his international football for Italy, having come to Serie A for Genoa in 2008 and then Inter, before joining Paris Saint-Germain in January 2012.

TURIN, ITALY – DECEMBER 29: Thiago Motta, Head Coach of Juventus, looks on prior to the Serie A match between Juventus and Fiorentina at Allianz Stadium on December 29, 2024 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images)

His coaching career has been somewhat mixed, with spells at Genoa and Spezia, then making his mark in two years for Bologna where he took them to Champions League qualification.

Thiago Motta left in the summer of 2024 for a new role at Juventus, but was fired in March 2025 after 18 wins, 16 draws and eight defeats.