Palermo sack Malesani, recall Gasperini

Serie A strugglers Palermo sacked coach Alberto Malesani today and announced the return of Gian Piero Gasperini only weeks after his own sacking by the club. "Palermo would like to announce the end of our collaboration with the coach Alberto Malesani and the re-appointment of Gian Piero Gasperini," a statement said. "Malesani is a great person and coach and we would like to thank him for his efforts. The decision seems to be the only one possible in this difficult time." Palermo currently sit bottom of Serie A on just 20 points from 26 games, having been held to a scoreless draw at home to Genoa on Saturday. Gasperini was initially hired by Palermo after a draw with Cagliari in the third match of the season in September, which led to the sacking of previous coach Giuseppe Sannino. The 55-year-old, who coached Inter Milan for a spell in 2011, was sacked by the Sicilian club on 4 February meaning he returns less than three weeks after his departure. FIFA