Palermo appoint Hammers target

Colantuono sacked by Palermo after poor start

By Nadia Carminati   Last updated: 4th September 2008

Stefano colantuono

Colantuono: Axed

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Davide Ballardini is out of the running for the West Ham job after being named as Palermo's new manager.

Palermo have appointed Ballardini as their new boss after axing Stefano Colantuono.

Colantuono has lost his job after crashing out of the Coppa Italia to Serie C outfit Ravenna and losing their opening Serie A game of the season to Udinese.

President Maurizio Zamparini was furious with the manner of the two defeats and has decided to act immediately.

Former Cagliari coach Ballardini had been mooted as a possible replacement for Alan Curbishley at West Ham due to his close friendship with the Hammers' technical director Gianluca Nani, but Ballardini has now killed off the speculation by moving to Palermo.

A club statement read: "US Palermo have sacked Mr Stefano Colantuono from the coaching role of the top team.

"The charge is assigned to Mr Davide Ballardini who will manage the team already from this afternoon's training session."