Thiago Motta Signs 3-Year Deal to Coach Juventus

Bologna's head coach Thiago Motta waits for the start of an Italian Cup round of 16 soccer match between Inter Milan and Bologna, at the San Siro stadium in Milan, Italy, on Dec. 20, 2023. (AP)
Bologna's head coach Thiago Motta waits for the start of an Italian Cup round of 16 soccer match between Inter Milan and Bologna, at the San Siro stadium in Milan, Italy, on Dec. 20, 2023. (AP)
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Thiago Motta Signs 3-Year Deal to Coach Juventus

Bologna's head coach Thiago Motta waits for the start of an Italian Cup round of 16 soccer match between Inter Milan and Bologna, at the San Siro stadium in Milan, Italy, on Dec. 20, 2023. (AP)
Bologna's head coach Thiago Motta waits for the start of an Italian Cup round of 16 soccer match between Inter Milan and Bologna, at the San Siro stadium in Milan, Italy, on Dec. 20, 2023. (AP)

Thiago Motta was announced as Juventus’ new coach on Wednesday, replacing the fired Massimiliano Allegri.

Juventus said Motta signed a three-year contract with the Bianconeri, having just steered Bologna to a Champions League finish.

“I am really happy to begin a new chapter at the helm of a great club like Juventus,” Motta said. “I thank the owners and the management, who can be sure of my ambition to keep the Juventus flag flying high and to please the fans.”

Allegri was fired last month for his ugly outburst toward the referee and others in the Italian Cup final.

Allegri lost his cool in stoppage time when he grew angry at a decision, ripped off his jacket and earned a red card for sarcastically applauding the referee. Juventus beat Atalanta 1-0 for the title — the only real highlight in a season in which the Bianconeri finished third in Serie A.

The Brazilian-born Motta, who played for Italy, began his coaching career with Paris Saint-Germain’s youth team. Then his first senior job was at Genoa before moving on to Spezia and Bologna.



Olympic Cauldron to Rise into Paris Skies Each Night

 Paris 2024 Olympics - Paris, France - July 27, 2024. A general view of the balloon and Olympic cauldron in Jardin des Tuileries. (Reuters)
Paris 2024 Olympics - Paris, France - July 27, 2024. A general view of the balloon and Olympic cauldron in Jardin des Tuileries. (Reuters)
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Olympic Cauldron to Rise into Paris Skies Each Night

 Paris 2024 Olympics - Paris, France - July 27, 2024. A general view of the balloon and Olympic cauldron in Jardin des Tuileries. (Reuters)
Paris 2024 Olympics - Paris, France - July 27, 2024. A general view of the balloon and Olympic cauldron in Jardin des Tuileries. (Reuters)

The Olympic cauldron that made a stunning first flight at the Paris Games opening ceremony will sit on the ground during the day and rise again every evening.

Paris Olympics organizers said that from Saturday, the cauldron attached to a balloon will fly more than 60 meters (197 feet) above the Tuileries gardens near the glass pyramid entrance to the Louvre museum from sunset until 2 a.m.

During daytime hours, 10,000 people each day can get free tickets to approach the cauldron, which is the first in Olympic history to light up without the use of fossil fuels.

Organizers said the electric flame uses 40 LED spotlights “to illuminate the cloud created by 200 high-pressure misting nozzles.”