Novice Pisacane named new Cagliari coach

ROME: Cagliari announced on Wednesday that novice Fabio Pisacane had been picked as the Serie A club’s new coach following the sacking of Davide Nicola.

Pisacane, who spent six seasons with Cagliari as a player, has signed a one-year contract which will be automatically renewed should unspecified “sporting criteria” be satisfied.

The 39-year-old has been promoted from Cagliari’s youth team which in April won the youth Italian Cup by beating AC Milan 3-0.

Cagliari finished 15th in Serie A under Nicola last season, five points above the relegation zone.

The close season in Italy has already brought numerous coaching changes, including at some of the country’s biggest clubs like AC Milan, Inter Milan, Roma and Atalanta.

Finland go top of qualifying group with 2-1 win over Poland

Separately,  Inter Milan have chosen Cristian Chivu to lead the Serie A club into a new era, confirming the former Romania defender as Simone Inzaghi’s replacement ahead of the upcoming Club World Cup.

“Inter Milan is pleased to welcome Cristian Chivu as the new head coach of the first team. The coach has signed a contract with Inter until 30 June 2027,” Inter said in a statement.

Still reeling from humiliation at the hands of Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League final, Inter have gambled on novice Chivu after failing to get Cesc Fabregas from Como.

Chivu has reportedly agreed a two-year contract with Inter worth 2.5 million euros ($2.85 million) a season, taking charge of one of Europe’s biggest clubs only a few months after beginning his senior coaching career with Parma.

Parma confirmed Chivu’s departure earlier on Monday, setting up his arrival at Inter where he won three Serie A titles and the 2010 Champions League as a player.

The 44-year-old replaced Fabio Pechia in February and guided Parma to Serie A safety in his first job in football of any form since leaving Inter’s youth set-up last summer.