Juventus president Jean-Claude Blanc insisted coach Ciro Ferrara has the full backing of the club despite Sunday's 2-1 home defeat to rock-bottom Catania.

Ferrara and his under-performing team were booed at Turin's Stadio Olimpico, increasing speculation that Juve may consider a coaching change.

But Blanc told the club's official website, www.juventus.it: "The winter break comes at the right time and will help us reflect.

"Our project does not change in the space of three days and we have confidence in Ferrara. After the holidays we need to return in a superior condition and mentality to bring home different results.

"In any case, the team will not be altered during the transfer market.

"We have confidence in the quality of our players, especially those that arrived in the summer."

Juve's fifth defeat in six games left them third in Serie A and was another blow following the 4-1 humiliation at the hands of Bayern Munich in the Champions League.

That loss meant Juve will have to settle for Europa League football in the new year.

"I understand the fans' disappointment," said Blanc. "At this time they cannot be happy and neither are we.

"But we have the capacity to come out of this situation and we must analyse all the things we must do with our staff and work harder."

Ferrara himself insisted he will not throw in the towel.

"I will not abandon ship even though the ship is in the eye of the tempest," said Ferrara. "It is a very delicate moment for me and for the team.

"We are aware that there will be hard days ahead for everyone and that it will not be the best Christmas.

"But in order to come out of this situation we need to be strong and united."