Chiro Ferrara Italian footballer and manager. Date of Birth: 11.02.1967 Country: Italy

Biography of Chiro Ferrara

Chiro Ferrara, an Italian footballer and manager, had a successful career as a football player but struggled to make a significant impact as a manager. Born in Naples, Chiro began his sporting career in the local football club's youth division in 1980, collaborating with the 'S.S.C. Napoli' team. He quickly moved up to the senior squad and made 14 appearances in his first full season. Chiro's performances caught the attention of national selectors, and he was even invited to participate in the FIFA World Cup.

During his time with 'Napoli,' Chiro scored a crucial goal that secured victory in the UEFA Cup final. He also won two Serie A championships, the Italian Cup in 1987, and the Italian Super Cup in 1990. Interestingly, Chiro played a part in defeating 'Juventus,' the team he later joined, in the Super Cup. In 1994, Chiro transferred to 'Juventus' and quickly became a key player under the management of Marcello Lippi. He played over 40 matches in his first season, scoring one goal. Chiro was considered one of the best central defenders of his generation and was a regular starter for ten consecutive years, even captaining the team in 1995 and 1996.

Throughout his career at 'Juventus,' Chiro formed an unbreakable defensive line with renowned players such as Mark Iuliano, Moreno Torricelli, Paolo Montero, Gianluca Pessotto, Lilian Thuram, Alessandro Birindelli, Igor Tudor, Gianluca Zambrotta, Nicola Legrottaglie, and Fabio Cannavaro. Thanks to their efforts, 'Juventus' had an almost impenetrable defence, making it incredibly difficult for opponents to score. Chiro also contributed to the team's attack, scoring four goals in the 1996-1997 season.

Chiro represented Italy in various international tournaments, including the FIFA World Cup in 1990 and the Euro 2000. Although the Italian team finished third in the World Cup, they lost in the final of Euro 2000 to France. Despite his considerable potential, Chiro didn't fully realize his capabilities on the international stage.

After winning the Serie A title in 2004-2005, Chiro, along with Mark Iuliano and Paolo Montero, announced their departure from 'Juventus.' Chiro retired from professional football at the age of 38 but continued his involvement in the sport. He joined the technical staff of the Italian national team during the FIFA World Cup 2006 and subsequently became a member of 'Juventus' coaching staff, overseeing the club's youth academy.

In July 2008, Chiro obtained his UEFA Pro coaching license after completing additional training. He later took over as the interim head coach of 'Juventus' following a series of unsuccessful matches. His impressive performance in just two weeks led to his appointment as the manager for the entire season. Despite initially positive results, the team failed to qualify for the UEFA Champions League and faced criticism in the media. After seven consecutive losses, Chiro was relieved of his managerial duties.

In October 2010, Chiro was appointed as the head coach of the Italian U21 national team, with Angelo Peruzzi as his assistant. He led the team through successful qualifying matches for the UEFA European Championship, remaining unbeaten. Chiro then moved to 'U.C. Sampdoria' in Serie A in July 2012 but was dismissed in December of the same year.