Serie A strugglers Empoli, which are reportedly seeking the services of Malta's Michael Mifsud, have reappointed Luigi Cagni as coach after sacking Alberto Malesani.

The Tuscan side are one point adrift with seven games left of the season. Sunday's 2-0 home defeat by Sampdoria proved the final straw for club directors, who announced the change of coach on their Website (www.empolifc.com).

Cagni returns after being sacked and replaced by former Udinese boss Malesani in November, when Empoli were third from bottom.

The dismissal of Cagni was a surprise after he had led the small club to seventh spot in the previous season and a first ever appearance in the UEFA Cup.

Sacking coaches and then bringing them back is in vogue in Italy. Palermo's Stefano Colantuono, dismissed in November, returned for a second spell last week but lost his first game 1-0 at Napoli on Sunday. The future of Catania coach Silvio Baldini, whose side are also struggling in Serie A, is being discussed by club officials.

Mifsud has been linked to a £2 million move from Coventry and was reportedly watched by officials of the Italian club when he scored five against Liechtenstein last week.

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