Dino Zoff has been sacked as coach of Lazio and replaced by former AC Milan coach Alberto Zaccheroni. Lazio confirmed in a statement today that Zoff had been invited to become president of the club but had rejected the offer saying it was not "practical" at this time.
"Faced with the disappointing performances of the team, culminating with the defeat at home to Nantes which seriously compromises Lazio's prospects in the Champions League, the president has taken the opportunity to relieve Dino Zoff of his charge," read the Lazio statement.
The Rome club added that Zaccheroni, who steered AC Milan to the Serie A title in 1999, had signed a deal keeping him with Lazio until June 2004.
Club president Sergio Cragnotti told reporters at Lazio's Formello training camp that Zaccheroni was the right man to get Lazio, without a win in their opening five games of the season, back on course in Europe and at home.
"We find ourselves in a difficult situation, but this is a club that has big ambitions to win and has very big prospects for the future. I think the arrival of Zaccheroni today can take us towards our goals in a determined and serious way," said Cragnotti.
"I wish Zaccheroni all the best. He is a coach of undoubted skill and I have faith in the future," added the Lazio chief.
Lazio, Italian champions in 1999-2000, have drawn all three Serie A matches this term and lost both their Champions League games - including a shock 3-1 home defeat to Nantes last night.
Zaccheroni said he was ready for the challenge of getting Lazio's season back on track.
"I'm proud to take over from someone as illustrious as Dino Zoff. This is a very prestigious club with ambitions that match my own . . . It is a great club that stands with the best in Europe," said Zaccheroni.
"I don't think we are out of the Champions League - we can make it to the next round. The Champions League requires dedication to the cause, that's all".
Zoff took over as Lazio coach for the second time in January when Swede Sven Goran Eriksson left to become coach of England. He initially made a strong impact as Lazio pushed themselves back into the title race, eventually finishing third.
But the off-season sales of Czech midfielder Pavel Nedved and Chilean striker Marcelo Salas to Juventus and Argentine midfielder Juan Veron to Manchester United badly weakened the squad.
Lazio spent heavily on Spanish international midfielder Gaizka Mendieta from Valencia, but the Spaniard has struggled to settle in Italy and was booed off the field on Wednesday.
Former Juventus and Italy goalkeeper Zoff had previously been Lazio coach between 1990 and 1994 failing to win the title despite huge investment from Cragnotti.
Zoff then moved 'upstairs' to become club president before becoming Italy coach after the 1998 World Cup finals. He led Italy to Euro 2000 but quit after the 'Azzurri' lost the final to France and then took on a role as vice-president of Lazio.
Zaccheroni said he will take charge of training later today and aimed to find some answers to Lazio's problems before Sunday.
"I hope we will find a solution that will make us competitive again right away starting with Milan this weekend."