Serie A club Lazio announced on Wednesday that Giovanni Martusciello, the assistant coach, has been selected to take charge of the team following the resignation of Maurizio Sarri.
Lazio, who placed second in the previous season and qualified for the Champions League straight ahead of AC Milan and Inter Milan, has only won two of their last eight league games.
Read Also:Sarri Steps Down As Lazio Manager After Loss To Udinese
“S.S. Lazio announce that Maurizio Sarri has handed in his resignation as head coach of the first team,” the club said in a statement, opens new tab on Wednesday.
“The club would like to thank the coach for his achievements and for the work he has done, wishing him the best of luck in his professional and personal life.
“At the same time, the club communicates that it has decided to entrust Giovanni Martusciello with the technical leadership.”
The 65-year-old reportedly sent the club’s management his resignation on Tuesday, according to Italian media.
Lazio, who lost 2-1 to Udinese at home on Monday, is currently ranked ninth in Serie A with 40 points from 28 games.
Across all competitions, they have dropped five of their last six games.
Simone Inzaghi departed Lazio in June 2021 to join Inter Milan, and Sarri, a former manager of Chelsea and Napoli, took over.
The team emphasised that Sarri’s contract expires in 2025 and refuted media reports that said Lazio thought about firing him following their 3-0 Champions League loss to Bayern Munich, which eliminated them from the competition, last Thursday.
In the past, Martusciello assisted Sarri at Empoli and Juventus. Marco Giampaolo succeeded him as Empoli’s head coach in 2016–17, following Sarri’s departure to become Napoli’s coach.
On the last day of play, Empoli was demoted, and Martusciello left the team. After that, he was hired by Inter Milan as a technical coach.
On Saturday, Martusciello will make his debut as Lazio visits the lowly Frosinone.