The Germany international is struggling for Serie A goals after being afforded just 13 touches last night

Newcastle United's £69million record signing now finds himself at the centre of a fresh managerial crisis at Juventus.

Pushed out of Newcastle on loan to the Turin club on deadline day to accommodate the £51million arrival of Matias Fernandez-Pardo, the Germany international could soon be dealing with his FOURTH club manager in the space of five months. Having watched on as Eddie Howe resigned at Newcastle, he briefly worked with Matthias Jaissle before signing on the dotted line for Luciano Spalletti in September.

But with the Italian boss now under immense pressure, following a 3-0 home defeat to Lazio in Serie A, Woltemade may soon have a new manager to answer to. Spalletti turned to Woltemade at half-time in Juve's defeat, with the Germany international sent on as the focal point, but he was afforded just 13 touches and sent one good opportunity wide of the post as the ball appeared to clip him on the heel.

TNT Sports pundit Don Hutchison said during co-commentary: "I just hope a manager can find the right position for Nick Woltemade."

On Sunday night in Turin, Kolo Muani was switched to the left with Woltemade brought on in the centre of the attack.

This morning's La Gazzetta dello Sport delivered a damning verdict and read: "Kolo moved wide to the left and crossed for the German, who missed Juventus's best chance of the night.

"The two forwards tried to work together side by side at the top of a confusing and disorganised 4-4-2."

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Former Juventus and Middlesbrough star Fabrizio Ravanelli steamed in after being asked his view on Juve's plight and said: "We need a centre-forward who can score 15-20 goals.

"Juve have had major finishing problems since last year. But something is missing in every department, and above all, they lack personality."

Juventus fans are calling for Antonio Conte to replace Spalletti in a move that may put further question marks above Woltemade and point to a return to Newcastle at the end of the season. Conte would bring with him a high-intensity style of play, and whether Woltemade, more renowned for holding the ball up, fits in is open for debate.

Spaletti hit back at critics after the game, and said: "Tactical systems change nothing if there is no hunger, passion, courage or character.

"Tonight, we showed that if this is how we play, we leave our future to chance, and that makes things difficult. We looked tired, because to some extent we were. Today, we took a step backwards."

Juventus return to Europa League action in midweek, where Woltemade, who has two goals in the competition, may get some respite from the critics. But Juventus' crisis rumbles on, and Woltemade can't escape the spotlight.

Woltemade has no recall clause in his contract and will remain at Juventus until the end of the season but the chances of a permanent sale to Juventus are receding by the day.