Palermo sack Mangia

Palermo today sacked coach Devis Mangia after less than four months in charge. The Sicilian club made the move in the wake of yesterday's 2-0 defeat at Catania which saw them slip to tenth in the Serie A table. Palermo, who have claimed just one victory in their last five league games, confirmed in a club statement: "Palermo announces it has dismissed Devis Mangia and his staff today. The club wishes to thank the coach for the work he has done." Mangia was promoted from youth team boss to the first team in pre-season as a replacement for Stefano Pioli. However, the 37-year-old, who only last month signed a two-year contract extension with Palermo, has failed to guide the team to a single victory away from home this season. The weekend loss at Catania was their seventh defeat of the campaign. Palermo were also eliminated last week from the Coppa Italia by Siena on penalties. The Sicilians have yet to confirm who will guide the club in Wednesday's match at Novara. Reports in Italy have linked former Atalanta and Bari coach Bortolo Mutti with the Palermo hotseat.