Struggling Serie A sides Pisa and Verona sack coaches

Former Italy international Alberto Gilardino has been sacked by Serie A strugglers Pisa, while the league's bottom side Verona dismissed coach Paolo Zanetti after another defeat at the weekend.

Pisa terminated Gilardino's contract after Sunday's 3-1 home loss to Sassuolo left the club with just one win from 23 matches this season in the Italian top flight.

The 43-year-old Gilardino, a 2006 World Cup winner, took over in the summer from Filippo Inzaghi after Pisa secured a return to Serie A for the first time in 34 years.

Pisa and Verona are both four points from safety and face each other in their next match on Friday.

Verona ended Zanetti's 18-month stint in charge following Saturday's 4-0 loss at Cagliari.