Genoa CFC have parted company with coach Gian Piero Gasperini and replaced him with Davide Ballardini in the wake of Sunday's 1-0 defeat at US Città di Palermo.

The club's third loss in four games left them 14th in Serie A, prompting them to appoint the 46-year-old former Cagliari Calcio, S.S. Lazio and Palermo coach Ballardini on a contract until the end of the season with an option for a further 12 months. Gasperini, who joined Genoa in 2006 and led them to promotion in his first season, is the first Serie A coach to go since the new season began. His successor will begin against Bologna FC on Wednesday.