Palermo hire Pioli as Rossi replacement

Palermo on Thursday hired Stefano Pioli to take over from Delio Rossi, who parted company with the Sicilians earlier this week.

Pioli signed a two-year contract with an option for a third year.

He spent last season at Chievo and also coached Parma in Serie A in 2006-07, although he was fired after just six months with the club one place off the bottom of the table.

The 45-year-old from Parma both played for and coached his home-town team, while he also played for Juventus, but the majority of his playing career was spent at Fiorentina.

Rossi guided Palermo to the Italian Cup final this season and in both his years at the club secured European qualification.