Shakhtar Donetsk face Werder Bremen in the UEFA Cup Final this Wednesday. Click here for all the early match betting.

Juventus have sacked Claudio Ranieri following a run of seven matches without a win.

Ranieri, who joined Juventus in 2007, has been replaced by former Italy defender and Juventus youth team coach Ciro Ferrara.

A 2-2 home draw against Atalanta on Sunday left Juventus in fourth place in Serie A, just a point above Fiorentina in the Champions League qualifying places.

General manager Jean Claude Blanc said: “We have taken this decision as a last resort when the team is not playing well.

“We are convinced that this will deliver a clear message to the players: these final two games are fundamental and need to be played to the very best of their ability.

“Everybody has got to take responsibility.”

Ranieri has paid the price for a downturn in form which started shortly after Juve’s elimination from the Champions League to Chelsea in March.

Cracks between Ranieri and his players became apparent when Alessandro Del Piero and Mauro Camoranesi were substituted at half-time in the recent 2-2 home draw with Lecce.

Arguments raged in the dressing room with goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon storming out to return to the field after only a few minutes of the interval.

Ferrara will certainly have the full backing of the club’s supporters after being a fans’ favourite during over a decade as a player for the Bianconeri.

“We have two cup finals ahead and we have decided to play this ace that we had up our sleeves,” he said.

“Now it is up to the squad to demonstrate that the work they have done this year can be concluded in the right way.”

Juventus travel to Siena at the weekend before hosting Lazio on the final day of the season at the Stadio Olimpico.

Only two wins from those games can guarantee Juventus a place in the group stage of the Champions League next season.

Shakhtar Donetsk face Werder Bremen in the UEFA Cup Final this Wednesday. Click here for all the early match betting.

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