Sampdoria sack Zenga

Sampdoria announced the sacking of head coach Walter Zenga on Tuesday after only five months in charge.

The Serie A side finished seventh in the table last season, with the 55-year-old appointed in June to replace Sinisa Mihajlovic after he landed the AC Milan job.

However, Zenga has struggled with Samp winning just one of their last seven Serie A games and suffering an embarrassing loss to Serbian side Vojvodina in the Europa League qualifiers.

Sunday’s 2-0 defeat to Fiorentina – which left the club 10th in the table and caused fan protests – was the last straw for president Massimo Ferrero.

“Sampdoria announces that Walter Zenga has been relieved from the role of first-team coach,” read a club statement.

“We are sorry for the early conclusion of the professional relationship. The president Massimo Ferrero and society as a whole wish Walter Zenga the greatest luck for his future career.”

Reports in Italy have suggested former Fiorentina boss Vincenzo Montella is set to be appointed as his replacement on a two-year deal.

His arrival is pending negotiations with the Viola, as the former Roma head coach is still on their payroll despite being sacked in the close-season after securing a fourth-place finish.