Genoa sacked previous manager Aurelio Andreazzoli on Tuesday following a difficult start to the season that has seen them win just one Serie A game in eight attempts.
Genoa are 19th on the table and have already conceded 20 goals- the most in the division.
Motta retired from football at the end of the 2017/2018 season whiles at French champions Paris Saint Germain and took over as manager of the club’s u-19 side afterwards.
The 37-year-old spent one season with PSG’s youth side but will now be assuming his first senior role as a manager following his appointment by Genoa, where he spent the 2008/2009 season as a player and helped them qualify for the Europa League.
During his playing days, Motta spent six years at Barcelona, helping the Blaugrana win two Spanish League titles as well as the 2005/2006 UEFA Champions League.
Motta also played for Inter Milan and was a key cog in the side that won the Champions League, Serie A and Coppa Italia in the 2009/2010 season under Jose Mourinho.
He joined Paris Saint Germain in 2012, winning five French Ligue 1 titles, four Coupe de France trophies and four Coupe de la Ligue honours.
Motta represented the Italian national team 30 times and played in three major international tournaments including the 2014 FIFA World Cup in his country of birth.
Motta’s first game in charge of Genoa will be at home to newly-promoted Brescia at the weekend before a daunting trip to champions Juventus in their next Serie A game.
