Palermo sack manager Roberto de Zerbi

Serie A side Palermo have sacked manager Roberto de Zerbi and replaced him with Eugenio Corini.

The Italian outfit swung the axe in the wake of Wednesday's Coppa Italia defeat to second-tier side Spezia, who beat them on penalties following a goalless draw.

Palermo chairman Maurizio Zamparini had publicly backed De Zerbi earlier in the week, but appears to have had a change of heart following the cup reverse.

"Having assessed the first-team situation, the club feel compelled to change the technical leadership and entrust the team to Eugenio Corini," read a statement on the Palermo website.

Palermo have lost every one of their home Serie A matches this season and lie in 19th in the table.