Ciro Ferrara

Ciro Ferrara (born 11 February 1967) is a former Italian footballer and current head coach of the Italy U-21 team. He spent his playing career as a defender initially at Napoli and later on at Juventus. He is also a former manager of Juventus.

Career

Napoli

A native of Naples, Ferrara started his career with the youth system of hometown club S.S.C. Napoli in 1980. Ferrara graduated the primavera youth squad in 1984, and began to earn first team call-ups that season. He made 14 total appearances with the club in his first full season. The following season, he became a part of the starting XI, and the Italian soon began to earn national call-ups and was even called up to the 1990 FIFA World Cup. Following the 1993–1994 Serie A season, Ferrara moved to Northern giants, and European powerhouse Juventus FC, under coach Marcello Lippi. He also scored one of Napoli's goals as they won the 1989 UEFA Cup Final.

Juventus

In the summer of 1994, Ferrara transferred to Turin based club, Juventus F.C., and was quickly introduced into the starting eleven, making over 40 total appearances for the club in all competitions in his first season, scoring 1 goal. He is considered one of the best central defenders of his generation, not giving up his starting position for the club for the next 10 years. He also captained the team from 1995 to 1996 and became one of the most experienced and decorated players of the past two decades,...
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