Udinese have sacked Pasquale Marino and appointed former Brescia and Torino manager Gianni De Biasi as his successor.

A poor run of form that saw the Bianconeri endure seven losses in ten league games ensured that they slipped to 14th position going into the New Year.

Successive losses to relegation battlers Bologna and Siena did not help Marino either, as the Zebrette are only five points away from the dreaded drop zone.

The Fruli outfit were expected to be in the top half competing for European football after finishing seventh last season, but have so far fired blanks this time out.

De Biasi’s first match in charge will be away to mid-table Bari on January 6.

Alex Milic, Football Italiano