Davide Ballardini back for third spell in Serie A as Genoa boss

ROME: Davide Ballardini has returned for a third stint as coach of Serie A strugglers Genoa, the club announced on Monday.

The 53-year-old was previously in charge of Genoa from 2010 to 2011 and then again in 2013, while he has also had spells at Lazio, Palermo, Cagliari and Bologna.

Genoa sacked former Croatia international Ivan Juric on Sunday following a 2-0 derby defeat by local rivals Sampdoria.

It was the second time that the 42-year-old Juric has been been fired by Genoa, having initially coached the club from June 2016 to February 2017.

Genoa's latest loss -- their ninth in 12 matches this season -- left the club third from bottom in Italy's top flight with just six points.