Gianluigi Buffon suggests Manchester United have missed out on a “special” manager.

Seven days ago, Kieran McKenna, Hansi Flick and Thiago Motta – three managers believed to be under consideration by Manchester United – appeared to be, to say the least, ‘obligatory’.

Since then, however, Flick has been revealed as Xavi’s replacement at Barcelona, ​​McKenna is closing in on a new deal at Ipswich Town and Motta is heading to Juventus.

What a difference a few days can make.

The Manchester United-linked manager is set for the Juventus job

According to reporter Romeo Agresti, Motta will put pen to paper with the Serie A giants next week. He takes over from Massimiliano Allegri after leading an unhinged Bologna outfit into the Champions League for the first time, finishing above Juventus in the table along the way.

And Juve legend Gianlugi Buffon believes that while Motta is a “risk”, he is one who could reap quite substantial rewards if his outstanding impact at Spezia and Bologna is anything to go by.

“Juve are probably trying to inject a new spark into an ambitious project,” the iconic goalkeeper said at the Globe Soccer Europe Awards, via Football Italia. “And in my view, they had the courage to take a risk.

“However, I see this as a calculated risk. Given what he has shown so far in his career, Thiago Motta is proving that he has something special. I would say that, even before Bologna, there was a small masterpiece in Spezia.”

Motta, one of the most underrated midfielders of the modern era, is showing the intelligence and poise he played for Barcelona, ​​Inter Milan and Paris Saint-Germain from his new vantage point in the dugout these days.

Motta twice kept Spezia from falling. The former Italy international then took over at Bologna, driving Rossoblu to a record number of points in Serie A before destroying the Champions League places a year later, turning the club into a living legend last week.

Erik ten Hag’s future at Old Trafford is unclear

“In these two years, I have met a trained and winning coach,” sighed president Joey Saputo in disappointment as he said goodbye to the man who made anything but Bologna seemingly impossible.

“(Motta) gave the team a brilliant playing identity.

“Qualifying for the Champions League marks him and all the players in the history of our club. I would have liked him to stay at Bologna, but I can only thank him and his staff for these wonderful seasons and wish them all the best for the future.”

Man United’s new Ineos decision-makers have yet to publicly announce what Erik ten Hag’s future holds. But with an unexpected FA Cup triumph ending 2023/24 on a high note – and a number of potential successors either staying put or moving elsewhere – the chances of the Dutchman staying put for at least another season seem to have grown considerably.

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