Cagliari made a surprise move by firing coach Massimiliano Allegri
on Tuesday with five games remaining in the Serie A.
Allegri had been lauded all season as one of the top young
coaches in the Italian league - winning a coach of the year award
in January - and was recently mentioned as a possible successor to
Marcello Lippi with Italy's national team.
Despite virtually ensuring it will avoid relegation, Cagliari
has gone winless in its last nine games - drawing twice and losing
seven - prompting Cagliari president Massimo Cellino to make the
move.
The Sardinian side was in 12th place, nine points clear of
the relegation zone even after losing 1-0 to Juventus on Sunday.
Cagliari's junior squad coach, Giorgio Melis, was appointed
to direct the team, aided by Gianluca Festa - a former defender
with Cagliari, Inter Milan and AS Roma.
In the 20-team league, this marks the 16th coaching change
this season.
