Former Inter Milan boss Roberto Mancini has sensationally stated that he would happily take the reigns at Juventus should current coach Ciro Ferrara be sacked at the Stadio Olimpico.

The 45-year-old was in charge at the San Siro for four years, during which time he led the Nerazzurri to three successive Serie A titles and two Coppa Italia crowns, before being dismissed in May 2008.

Mancini made some controversial statements about the Bianconeri during his tenure in Milan, but he has now thrown his name into the hat as a possible replacement for under-fire Ferrara.

Juve suffered the worst defeat in their illustrious European history on Wednesday evening when Bayern Munich thrashed them 4-1 in Turin, effectively knocking them out of the UEFA Champions League at the first hurdle.

Reports in Italy suggest Ferrara will be axed if his side fail to beat Bari this weekend, and Mancini admits he is 'ready' should his boyhood heroes decide to give him a call.

"First of all, I want to say that I don't know what I will do in the future," Mancini told Tuttosport. "Then I want to make a few things clear. I never talked bad about Juve and the controversy was only with regard to its members.

"And I say that out of respect for the club and for the truth. After all, even when I was at Inter, I never concealed the fact that I rooted for the Bianconeri as a child.

"I used to travel by bus from Jesi to go the Comunale and no-one can take away from me those moments of my life.

"Besides, I am a professional and I work for the clubs that want me. Therefore, if Juve want me I am ready."

However, Mancini did lend a word of sympathy to Ferrara and the situation he finds himself in: "I'm sorry for Ciro. He is not going through a nice moment.

"I was convinced Juve would have comfortably gone through in the Champions League."