Reaction: Baldini to return to relegated Empoli

Silvio Baldini will return to Empoli for his second spell in charge, President Fabrizio Corsi confirmed after seeing his side relegated.

Baldini replaces Luigi Cagni who was in charge for the last few games following Alberto Malesani's dismissal at the end of March.

The 49-year-old Baldini was in charge at Empoli for four years from 1999, leading them to promotion to Serie A in 2002.

Empoli were unable to avoid relegation despite a 2-1 victory over relegated Livorno as results elsewhere went against them, but Corsi is confident they can bounce straight back up.

"We will start again with a reinvigorated and motivated group," he said. "We will add to our current players with new, young ones who want to make a name for themselves and to do well under the guidance of Silvio Baldini.

"He is a coach who we know well, capable of evaluating young talent and with whom we have experienced significant moments in the past."

Baldini coached Catania until he was dismissed at the same time as Malesani with the Sicilians lying perilously close to the relegation zone.

It was Catania's draw against Roma that sent Empoli down as had Baldini's former team lost they would have faced the drop due to Empoli's superior head-to-head record.

Source: AP