Torino sack Novellino, bring back De Biasi

Torino sacked coach Walter Novellino yesterday and brought back former boss Gianni De Biasi, who has quit Spanish club Levante.

"Pride could be the key to safety," De Biasi, in his third stint with Torino, told a news conference.

Former Sampdoria coach Novellino replaced De Biasi before the start of the season but has struggled of late and fans demonstrated at Tuesday's training session following a weak 3-0 defeat at Genoa on Sunday.

Torino are four points clear of the drop zone with five games left having looked safe just a few weeks ago.

Serie A clubs have a habit of re-appointing former coaches. Last month Empoli brought back Luigi Cagni, and Stefano Colantuono, sacked in November, returned to Palermo. Novellino is the 13th Serie A coach dismissed this season.

"I was in the bank when they called me," he told reporters.

"I don't need to say anything now, it's a horrible moment but I don't want to talk about it. I understand the situation, but I will wait for a few days before I discuss it."

Levante are bottom of the Primera Liga, the position they occupied when De Biasi took charge last October.