Serie A strugglers Atalanta have sacked Stefano Colantuono after five years as coach, and have appointed Edy Reja as his re-placement.
The Bergamaschi dropped to 17th in the Serie A standings after the 2-1 defeat against Sampdoria – their fourth straight loss.
Atalanta have won five and lost 12 of their 25 games this season and sit one place and three points clear of the drop zone.
Colantuono, 52, guided Atalanta to promotion in his first campaign in charge, and in 2011-12 led them to a club-record haul of 52 points in 38 games. They finished 11th last season.
Reja, 69, had been out of a job since leaving Lazio in 2014.
Morganella blow
Palermo have suffered an injury blow with Michel Morganella ruled out for the remainder of the season.
The Swiss defender was carried off during Sunday’s goalless draw against Empoli and tests done yesterday confirmed ligament damage to his right knee.
Morganella, who has started in 20 Serie A games for Palermo this season, is expected to be sidelined for six months.
Despite the setback, the 25-year-old is set to put pen to paper on a four-year contract extension with the Sicilian outfit.
Morganella’s current deal is set to expire in summer.
Reus relief
Borussia Dortmund breathed a sigh of relief yesterday when they found out that Germany winger Marco Reus’s thigh injury turned out to be only a dead leg.
Reus, who had an injury-plagued 2014 that also saw him miss the World Cup, was hurt midway through the first half of the 2-0 German Cup last-16 win at Dynamo Dresden on Tuesday and had to go off.
Officials feared the injury may rule him out for a long while but the club said the latest checks showed he had sustained a minor dead leg.
It is not yet known whether Reus will be fit for Saturday’s game against Hamburg.
Pochettino plans FA talks over Kane
Mauricio Pochettino is planning talks with the FA to ensure Harry Kane does not suffer from burn-out as the 21-year-old is destined to be called into Roy Hodgson’s senior England squad for the first time later in the month.
Kane has already played 44 games this season and could play up until the end of June if he is included in the squad for the European Under-21 Champion-ship this summer.
“We need to speak with the FA,” Pochettino said.
“You always support the national team but for us Harry is a very important player.
“For that it’s important to take a decision all together to provide the best position for him.”
Ashley fined for ownership breach
Billionaire Newcastle United owner Mike Ashley has been fined £7,500 by the Scottish FA for breaching “dual ownership” rules with his involvement in Rangers.
The Sports Direct tycoon owns 9.82 per cent of the Ibrox outfit but is prohibited from going over 10 per cent by an agreement struck with Hampden chiefs.
As part of that agreement, Ashley also gave an undertaking not to exercise undue influence on the club’s board. However, his behind-the-scenes manoeuv-rings over the past six months saw the SFA issue the 50-year-old with a Notice of Complaint.
Ashley – the world’s 306th richest man, worth an estimated £3.3 billion – was fined £7,500 for breaching Disciplinary Rule 19, which relates to dual ownership.
Adriano saddened by Parma demise
Striker Adriano hopes Parma will be able to bounce back from the situation that threatens their future.
Adriano, who spent time at Parma between 2002 and 2004 before enjoying spells with Inter, Roma and Corinthians, is able to see some light at the end of the tunnel for his embattled former club.
Adriano, currently employed at Ligue 2 club Le Havre, said: “I’m sorry (to hear of it). Parma remain in my heart.
“Sometimes life, like football, has surprises in store. But I am sure Parma will shine again and be important... because of its history and because its people deserve it.”
Players fined for poor displays
Olympiakos president Evangelos Marinakis has fined his team €500,000 for below-par performances which endangered their prospects at home and abroad.
The Greek champions’ recent derby reverse to rivals Panathinaikos, a 4-2 aggregate defeat by Ukraine’s Dnipro in the Europa League last 32 and a 1-1 Greek Cup draw with second division AEK Athens have left Marinakis fuming.
“I’ll tell you something very important and non-negotiable; Olympiakos is the largest Greek club and for each of you it is an honour to play for this team,” Marinakis told the players.
“Anyone who has a problem with that it’s time to have the guts to get up and leave – and that applies to everyone.”