Livorno sack Colomba and turn to Donadoni

Serie A side Livorno have sacked coach Franco Colomba and replaced him with former Milan player Roberto Donadoni.

Sunday's 4-2 defeat to leaders Juventus left Livorno 15th in the 20-team table but the decision comes as a surprise. The Tuscan team are in their first season in the top flight since 1949 and in a tight mid-table they are only six points behind sixth place Roma.

The club said that Donadoni, who worked at the club during their Serie B campaign two seasons ago, had agreed an 18-month contract.

The 41-year-old, who was part of Arrigo Sacchi's Milan team in the late 1980s and early 1990s has also worked as coach of Genoa but this will be his first appointment in the top flight.