[D-Kin]

Cagliari have confirmed the return of Marco Giampaolo on the club’s bench following the dismissal of Franco Colomba.

President Massimo Cellino decided to replace the tactician after the 2-0 home defeat to Lazio on Sunday that left the side seventh from the bottom, only three points from the relegation zone.

“Cagliari announce that Franco Colomba has been removed from the role of first team Coach,” read an official statement posted on the club’s website.

“The technical guidance of the squad is now handed over to Marco Giampaolo. We wish to thank Colomba for the work done so far,” concluded the note.

Giampaolo had been fired on December 17 after the defeat to Udinese and was replaced by Colomba, who failed to live up to the expectations preceding his arrival.

Giampaolo, a former midfielder, started his Coaching career as assistant to Giovanni Galeone at Pescara, before moving to Giulianova and Teramo.

In 2004 he joined Ascoli, again as an assistant, and led the side to Serie A although he was suspended for two months by the FIGC in 2006 for acting as first team Coach without a valid coaching licence.

Giampaolo was then admitted to the Coverciano coaching course, before signing a contract for Cagliari last June.

A strange twist of fate also occurred in Torino earlier today, as Alberto Zaccheroni was sacked by the Granata and will be replaced by Gianni De Biasi, whom he had actually replaced before the start of the season.

channel4.com - Football Italia