Italy coach Marcello Lippi admits he has grave fears for his old club Juventus.
Juventus are now joint third in Serie A, 12 points behind League leaders Inter at the season's half way mark.
"At the moment, you see that Juventus are conditioned. They are suffering from various injuries and going through a moment of psychological insecurity," Lippi explained.
"You see that they commit errors linked to this situation. We'll also see if Ferrara will soon find results more appropriate to Juventus."
Former President Giovanni Cobolli Gigli, who stepped down in November, also pleaded for patience.
"The directors have to take their decisions with calm. But I am convinced that Ferrara is the man who has all the chances of putting the team back in motion," he said.
"It's clear that now the situation is complicated and things need to be taken in hand with determination. That there should be a critical process to put the situation in place is out of discussion. But the first person to engage the critical process is Ferrara.
"What's clear is that we need to find a way of not exaggerating because then there arrives some nervous tension. In fact it seems to me that yesterday around the stadium there was a little protest or two. I have seen some parts of the stands set alight. In short, things that aren't part of what makes a normal fan."