Genoa sack Malesani

Genoa have sacked coach Alberto Malesani and will replace him with Pasquale Marino, the mid-table Serie A club announced on Thursday.

Sitting 10th in the league, Genoa slumped to a crushing 6-1 loss to Napoli on Wednesday, signalling the end of Malesani’s time in charge.

It marks the 10th coaching change in Italy’s top flight since August, with Marino set to sign a two-and-a-half year deal with the club.

Genoa president Enrico Prezioso told Sky Sport Italia Marino was ‘signing the contract now’, and said the loss to Napoli forced his hand with Malesani.

“It’s a shame for Malesani, but we couldn’t continue like this. Genoa were just terrible,” he said on Thursday.

“When a squad gets humiliated on the pitch there’s nothing else to do.”

Marino’s most recent managerial stints have been with Parma, Udinese and Catania, and the 49-year-old will be presented to the media on December 29.

Exiting alongside Malesani are assistant manager Ezio Sella and fitness coaches Paolo Aiello and Antonio Raione.