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Ferrara failure highlights weakness of rookies

Barcelona's Pep Guardiola is a rarity in being a huge success in his first big club job, leading the Catalans to six trophies last year including the Champions League.

His achievement was one of the reasons Juve decided to name former defender Ferrara as coach following Claudio Ranieri's surprise dismissal in May.

"Ferrara doesn't know how to manage a group. Juve needs rebuilding," well-known Italian pundit Mario Sconcerti wrote in Corriere della Sera, acknowledging that under-performing new recruits like Diego and a raft of injuries have not helped.

Thursday's Italian Cup quarter-final defeat at Inter Milan was the last straw for Juve's directors, who had tried to give Ferrara extra time to turn the situation around and vindicate their decision to go with inexperience.

Guardiola's stunning start in Spain also played a part in Leonardo's appointment, as well as the belief that good players do not need a large amount of coaching in order to win.

An almost accidental change in formation and the general weakness of Serie A, along with Leonardo's quick learning and savvy brain, helped Milan improve markedly but flaws remain.

Sunday's 2-0 defeat to Serie A leaders Inter Milan, who were reduced to nine men, was another indication that Leonardo is not totally comfortable in his new role yet.

He was brought in as a "messiah" to save them from relegation from the Premier League but could not prevent the club dropping into the second tier.