Ballardini replaces Ficcadenti at Cagliari

Davide Ballardini was named Cagliari coach today following the sacking of Massimo Ficcadenti after the Sardinian club only managed to take three points from their last five matches in Serie A. Ballardini coached Genoa last season from November to June, and has twice coached Cagliari, from September-November 2005 and October 2007-October 2008. The 47-year-old becomes Cagliari's third coach of the season, former Italy coach Roberto Donadoni sacked after just one friendly back in August. Ficcadenti, sacked yesterday, became the seventh casualty among Serie A coaches this season. Sinisa Mihajlovic was shown the door by Fiorentina on Monday, replaced by Delio Rossi, while at Cesena, Daniele Arrigoni has taken over from Marco Giampaolo. Palermo ushered Stefano Pioli to the exit before the season started, replaced by Devis Mangia, before reappearing at Bologna, who had got rid of Pierpaolo Bisoli. And Gian Piero Gasperini's spot as Inter Milan coach went to Claudio Ranieri.