Fabio Capello has quit Rome to become the new coach of Juventus.

Capello has signed a three-year deal on Friday. He replaces Marcello Lippi who stepped down at the end of the season.

Roma, who finished second behind Milan this season, have financial problems and were forced to sell defender Walter Samuel to Real Madrid last week. Other players such as midfielder Emerson and even talismanic skipper Francesco Totti, may also leave the club in the summer.

The decision to appoint Capello comes as a surprise with most observers predicting that either Monaco coach Didier Deschamps or Parma boss Cesare Prandelli would succeed Lippi.