Palermo sack Iachini and appoint Ballardini as Zamparini strikes again

Maurizio Zamparini has made his 29th coaching
change since 2002 by sacking Giuseppe Iachini, with
Davide Ballardini stepping in.

Palermo have sacked head coach Giuseppe Iachini and installed
Davide Ballardini as his replacement.

The club are 12th in Serie A and won their last match 1-0 at
home to Chievo on Sunday thanks to a goal from Alberto
Gilardino, although that was only their second victory in 10
games.

Iachini, 51, spent two years in charge of Palermo, leading them
to promotion from Serie B in his debut campaign at the helm
before guiding them to an 11th-placed finish in the top flight
last season.

President Maurizio Zamparini has now made 29 coaching
changes since taking charge in 2002 and former Siena boss
Iachini was his longest-serving manager.

The club's statement read: "Palermo announces it has relieved
Giuseppe Iachini as coach of the first team.

"The technician has the heartfelt thanks of the president and the
club for his work and the goals achieved in the last two
seasons. We wish him well for the rest of his career."

Ballardini, also 51, had a previous spell in charge of Palermo
between 2008 and 2009. Since then he has coached
Lazio, Cagliari and Bologna, as well as two spells with Genoa.