Friday 22 September 2017 21:53, UK
Alaves have appointed Gianni De Biasi as their new head coach.
The 61-year-old Italian replaces Luis Zubeldia, who was sacked following last weekend's defeat to Villarreal, and takes over an Alaves side who have yet to pick up a point or score a goal from five LaLiga matches this season.
The experienced De Biasi counts the likes of Torino, Udinese, Levante and Brescia among his former clubs as a coach, while he was in charge of Albania for six years before stepping down this summer.
A club statement read: "Alaves have finalised the appointment of Gianni De Biasi. The coach arrives at the club after a long career in Serie A, LaLiga and international level, with the Albania national team.
"In that latter role, he achieved the great success of qualifying for a European Championships - France 2016 - for the first time in the country's history. At club level, the new coach has a lot of experience of successfully facing difficult situations.
"The coach has committed himself to the club until the end of the season, with an option for another year."
Second-bottom Alaves play host to reigning Spanish and European champions Real Madrid on Saturday, but it remains to be seen if De Biasi will be on the bench for that match.
