Palermo have sacked manager Stefano Colantuono and appointed Davide Ballardini just one week after the start of the Italian League, the club announced on its official website on Thursday. Following their Italian Cup elimination on the hands of third division side Ravenna Palermo lost their League opener 3-1 at Udinese on Saturday, two results that were enough for the club's temperamental president Maurizio Zamparini to dismiss Colantuono. "Palermo have relieved Stefano Colantuono of the post of first team coach,” the club said on their website. Zamparini was quick to replace Colantuono with Davide Ballardini who helped Cagliari avoid relegation last season but failed to renew his contract with the Sardinians. “The post has been entrusted to Davide Ballardini, who will lead the squad from this afternoon's training session.” The appointment comes to end minor speculation that Ballardini was one of the frontrunners to take over West Ham United in the Premiership following Alan Curbishley's surprise resignation.
