Catania turn to Atzori

Catania have appointed former assistant Gianluca Atzori as their new coach for next season.

The 38-year-old, who has signed a two-year deal, replaces Walter Zenga, who left the club to take up the reins at Sicilian rivals Palermo last week.

Atzori is a familiar name to the Catania faithful having served as assistant coach to Silvio Baldini during the 2007-08 season, a role he reprised under Zenga before enjoying a successful stint in charge of third-tier side Ravenna.

"Catania announce that it has entrusted the task of coaching the first team to Mr Gianluca Atzori, 38, who returns from a big season at the helm of Ravenna and is a former member of the rossazzurro technical staff," read a statement on the club's official website.

The Sicilian outfit have taken the bold step of turning to a man with no prior experience of coaching in Serie A. He was in charge of Ravenna last term, and led the club into the Lega Pro 1 promotion play-offs.

Atzori's backroom team will feature assistant coach Pino Irrera, physical trainer Alberto Bartali and goalkeeping coach Mark Onorati.

Source: Sporting Life