Parma axe coach Marino

Struggling Serie A side Parma have sacked boss Pasquale Marino after their 2-1 loss at home to bottom side Bari on Sunday.

After finishing last season in eighth place with Francesco Guidolin at the helm, Marino was brought in when Guidolin was coaxed away from the Stadio Ennio Tardini to take charge of Udinese.

But with just one win from their past 10 league games seeing them sit only two points clear of the relegation zone, the club’s chief officer Pietro Leonardi announced on Sunday that Marino would be relieved of his duties.

“This decision has been really, really difficult for us. We ask for calmness,” Leonardi said.

A statement from the club thanked Marino for his professionalism and hard work, and said a replacement would be announced ‘later’.

There is speculation in Italian media that former Bologna manager Franco Colomba is one of those in the running for the post.