Edy Reja has stepped down as coach of Lazio.

The Italian took the reins midway through the 2013-14 season and had one year left on his contract.

Reja said in a club statement: “It’s right that Lazio makes a coaching change. I consider my experience here to have ended.

“The (club) president (Claudio Lotito) had given me his support but I told him that it was over, that my cycle here had finished.”

The 68-year-old Reja was in his second spell with Lazio, having coached them between 2010 and 2012.

Lazio finished ninth in Serie A and failed to qualify for European football next season.

Stefano Pioli, who was unable to help Bologna defend their Serie A status last campaign, has been strongly linked with the vacancy created by Reja’s departure.

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