MILAN, Jan 19 — Sampdoria have brought back former coach Marco Giampaolo to manage their struggling team after sacking Roberto D’Aversa, the Serie A club said today.

In a statement Sampdoria said that Giampaolo had signed a deal until the end of the current season, with an option for two further campaigns should his reappointment work out.

Giampaolo coached Samp for three seasons between 2016 and 2019, with his best result a ninth-placed finish in Serie A in his final year, after which he took over at AC Milan.

He was sacked after less than three months in charge at the San Siro and replaced by current coach Stefano Pioli. He then took over at Torino at the start of last season before being fired again in January last year.

D’Aversa was sacked after Saturday’s 2-1 home defeat by Torino — their third successive loss — left Samp just four points above the relegation zone.

They have a potentially crucial relegation six-pointer with 16th-placed Spezia this weekend. — AFP