Pioli takes up Lazio reins after Reja departure

SS Lazio have moved quickly to replace Edoardo Reja, who stepped down after six months in charge, by appointing Stefano Pioli as their new coach.

Reja arrived late in December 2013 to succeed Vladimir Petković – who will become Switzerland's new coach on 1 July – and led Lazio to ninth place in Serie A, but he has opted to leave with 12 months left on his contract. The 68-year-old previously coached Lazio between 2010 and 2012 in a long managerial career stretching back more than three decades.

"I think a change is the best option for the club," Reja said. "My time on the Lazio bench has come to an end, given we experienced a difficult situation [in recent months]. The president [Claudio Lotito] restated his trust in me, but I said to him that it was over for me. I hope my resignation will help the club regain their spirit."

The 48-year-old Pioli was without a club after being sacked by Bologna FC in January. He had guided the Rossoblù to ninth and 13th positions in the two previous campaigns. The former Juventus and ACF Fiorentina defender has also coached Parma FC and AC Chievo Verona.