Cagliari Calcio have dismissed coach Davide Ballardini after just four months at the helm, replacing him with predecessor Massimo Ficcadenti.

Ballardini was appointed to take over from Ficcadenti after a run of five Serie A games without a win in early November, but Friday's 6-3 loss at SSC Napoli was the club's third consecutive defeat. That result has left the Rossoblu 17th, six points above the relegation zone.

The 48-year-old Ballardini thus ends his third spell in charge of Cagliari, with 44-year-old Ficcadenti set to begin his second after first taking the reins before the start of the season following Roberto Donadoni's departure.