Thiago Motta relieved of manager duties at Bologna as he looks to join Juventus next season

Thiago Motta, Bologna's head coach, will leave the club in the summer to pursue a transfer to Juventus. The former Italy midfielder has had a remarkable season in charge of the Rossoblu, guiding them towards the UEFA Champions League for the very first time in the history of the club under its current configuration.

Despite Juve's interest following their decision to remove Massimiliano Allegri a week ago, Motta notified Bologna on Thursday afternoon that he was not renewing his contract and will leave this summer. Multiple Italian rumours indicate that he is going to be confirmed as Juventus' new coach in the days to come.

President of the club Joey Saputo said, "In the last two years, we've enjoyed a well-prepared and winning coach who has given the team a brilliant playing identity. The achievement of qualifying for the Champions League puts him and all of the players into the club's history books. I'd have liked him to stay at Bologna but I can only thank him and his staff for the last few seasons and wish him well for the future."

Juventus' desire to sign the former Italy playmaker dates as far as January, according to many publications in recent weeks. With current Juventus director Cristiano Giuntoli in place and Juve's season slipping from a potential championship contender to relegation in the second half, it appeared that the moment had come to make a managerial change.

What’s next for Juventus and Thiago Motta?

The goal now is to put Juventus on the right track while also paving the path for Motta to engage in the type of game he wants. That won't be accomplished entirely during a single transfer window, although many anticipate Juventus to be busier during the summer than they had been a year ago, when their lone new signing was Timothy Weah.

But first, Giuntoli needed to secure his pick for Juventus' open managerial position, now that Max Allegri had been officially fired after the Coppa Italia victory and everything that went along with it. That choice was always Motta, and he's now only a few technicalities away from becoming the next person to stand on the Allianz Stadium touchline.