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Genoa appoint former Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Thiago Motta as new head coach

The former Barcelona man wants to revolutionise Genoa’s style of play

Luke Brown
Wednesday 23 October 2019 08:09 BST
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Thiago Motta has been appointed Genoa head coach
Thiago Motta has been appointed Genoa head coach

Genoa have appointed Thiago Motta as their new head coach, in the former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain midfielder’s first senior managerial role.

The Serie A side sacked Aurelio Andreazzoli after their 5-1 defeat by Parma last week and have turned to Motta, who spent a season playing for the club after leaving Atlético Madrid and before joining Inter Milan.

Motta, 37, has been coaching PSG’s Under-19 team since retiring in 2018.

Genoa currently sit 19th in the table, a point above bottom side Sampdoria.

“My idea it to play offensively. A short team that controls the game, high pressure and a lot of movement with and without the ball,” Motta told Gazetta dello Sport, as per Goal.

“I don’t like the numbers of the field because they trick you. You can be super offensive with a 5-3-2 and defensive in a 4-3-3.

“Depending on the quality of the guys. I had a game a while ago where the two full-backs ended up playing as the 9 and 10.

“The goalkeeper counts as one of the midfield seven. For me, the attacker is the first defender and the goalkeeper is the first attacker. The goalkeeper starts the play, with his feet and the attackers are the first to put pressure to recover the ball.”

Motta’s first match as head coach will be at home to fellow strugglers Brescia.

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