Juventus' Zizou dream! Bianconeri earmark Zinedine Zidane as ideal replacement for under-pressure Thiago Motta - but Real Madrid legend isn't most likely candidate

Motta is under tremendous pressure after a tough start to his journey at Juventus. In his first season in charge, the club have been knocked out of Coppa Italia and the Champions League and could finish outside the top four teams in the Serie A. The Bianconeri are currently fifth on the points table and their upcoming match against Genoa could prove to be the manager's last game in charge if they don't get a satisfactory result.

Amid doubts over Motta's future in Turin, several reports have claimed that the Italian giants are eyeing a move for Real Madrid legend Zinedine Zidane. La Gazzetta dello Sport, however, claims that Motta's actual replacements are either ex-Italy head coach Roberto Mancini or former Bianconeri defender Igor Tudor. The report also adds that the Frenchman is the club's dream candidate to take charge of the team, but at present the option looks far-fetched.

Zidane has also been tipped to take charge of the French national team after the 2026 World Cup in North America as Didier Deschamps is all set to part companies after his existing contract expires. The France icon has not managed a team since leaving Los Blancos for the second time in 2021.

Juventus will face Genoa in the Serie A after the international break on March 29. Motta will hope to pick up a resounding victory to secure his place at the helm for now.