Livorno sack the boss that never was

Serie A basement club Livorno sacked de facto coach Gennaro Ruotolo, with official boss Vittorio Russo also appearing to be on the brink of losing his job.

Ruotolo led the Tuscan outfit to promotion last season but did not have the necessary coaching licence for the top-flight so 70-year-old Russo was brought in to shadow him.

"I'm really sorry but Livorno comes before everything and a change was needed," club President Aldo Spinelli told reporters after dismissing Ruotolo.

The Amaranto have struggled to adapt to the rigours of life in Serie A, failing to win any of their first eight matches and losing 2-1 at home to Palermo in their last outing on Sunday.

Early media reports suggest former Parma and Empoli coach Luigi Cagni is the favourite for the Stadio Armando Picchi post and he could be appointed in time for Livorno's trip to Roma at the weekend.

Source: Reuters