Capello sees ‘same challenge’ for Motta and Fonseca at Juventus and Milan | OneFootball

Fabio Capello feels Thiago Motta and Paulo Fonseca will face the ‘same challenge’ at Juventus and Milan and thinks club directors must ‘help’ both coaches.

Motta and Fonseca are set to be appointed as new head coaches for Juventus and Milan, respectively, and Capello analysed the Italian and Portuguese tacticians’ tasks in a column for Wednesday’s printed edition of La Gazzetta dello Sport, page 28.

Capello sees ‘same challenge’ for Motta and Fonseca at Juventus and Milan

“Motta and Fonseca are two coaches with different backgrounds but with the same challenge ahead—the biggest of their careers,” said the former Juventus, Milan and Roma coach.

“Taking the Scudetto from Inter won’t be easy, especially when Juventus and Milan fans can’t wait to win again. A new coach always needs time, but Thiago and Fonseca know they must be quick.

“First of all, Motta must bring two things to Juventus: a new playing style and a different approach to games,” continued Capello.

“To do so, he must enter the players’ minds and put them in a condition to think differently from the last period. Thiago has not coached great clubs, but with his feat at Bologna, he has earned credibility.”

What Motta needs to succeed at Juventus, according to Capello

However, according to Capello, a new mentality and tactical approach will not be enough, and new signings will be key. Bologna centre-back Riccardo Calafiori is seen as an ideal reinforcement for the Old Lady, but the real change Juventus must make is in central midfield.

Capello feels the new coach should require a new central midfielder with technique and physicality and is “curious to see what Motta will build around Dusan Vlahovic.”

Perhaps, Capello sees a tougher task for Fonseca who will sit on one of the “hottest” benches in Serie A.

“Milan directors thought that the Pioli cycle was over. He had won the Scudetto and reached a Champions League semifinal so the target is only one: do better,” said Capello.

“The start will be difficult because Milan fans are already protesting. They no longer accept to don’t win and even worse, don’t even fight to win. The Milan environment is historically ambitious and this is even more true now because the other team in town is dominating.”

What Fonseca needs to succeed at Milan, according to Capello

According to Capello, Fonseca must restore defensive solidity and help Rafael Leao make a final step forward, but the Portuguese coach must be helped by transfers too.

Milan will surely need a new centre forward as without Giroud they’ll lose “goals, experience and leadership,” according to Capello.

The ex-Rossoneri boss feels Milan should also sign a new defensive midfielder while club directors must “protect” the new coach.

Capello’s article ends with a message for Zlatan Ibrahimovic, one of his former players at Juventus. “He has remained silent for a long time, now it’s time to make his voice heard.”