La Gazzetta dello Sport understands Claudio Gentile has accepted an offer to replace Juventus Coach Ciro Ferrara after tonight's Coppa Italia match against Inter.
The 56-year-old, who made 283 appearances for Juventus between 1973 and 1984, left his home in Como yesterday morning for a two-hour meeting with former team-mate Roberto Bettega in Turin.
They discussed technical and tactical aspects of the team as well as the club's current economic situation. Gentile's criticism of Juventus in recent months was also conveniently forgotten.
Juventus apparently turned to Gentile when Giovanni Trapattoni, the Republic of Ireland manager, told John Elkann, the club's patron, that he wouldn't be able to return to Turin for a third stint in charge of the Bianconeri.
Trapattoni is said to have recommended Gentile and put them in touch with a phone call.
Gentile faces competition from Alberto Zaccheroni, but La Gazzetta dello Sport understands Juventus have offered him €250,000 for four months work plus bonuses for success in the Europa League and qualification for the Champions League.
The World Cup winner is believed to have accepted the role and will find out later today if the board have agreed upon his appointment.
Gentile has never coached a club side. His last job ended in 2006 with Italy's Under-21s. He likes to play 4-4-2 and is a bit of a drill sergeant, something Juventus's dressing room dearly needs at the moment.
The length of his prospective contract suggests Elkann wants to make a big name appointment in the summer with Rafa Benitez or Marcello Lippi at the top of the list.
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