Diego Lopez has returned to Cagliari as their coach, the Serie A side have announced.

Cagliari parted company with head coach Massimo Rastelli on Tuesday after a recent poor run of form.

Lopez, who managed the Isolani in 2013/14, returns to the club after a spell in charge of Palermo.

A statement on the club's official website said: "Cagliari Calcio announces that it has entrusted the technical guidance of the first team to Diego Lopez.

"Lopez has signed a contract that will tie him to the Rossoblu until June 2019. His staff will be officially announced in the next few hours."

Cagliari got off to a mixed start in Serie A this season but Sunday's 3-2 home defeat to fellow strugglers Genoa saw them slip to 14th in the standings - just one point above the relegation zone - following a four-match losing streak.

Rastelli oversaw promotion from Serie B two seasons ago and Cagliari finished a respectable 11th last term.

The Sardinian side are next in action on Sunday, when they travel to Lazio.

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