Cagliari promote Fabio Pisacane to head coach

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.