Udinese have replaced coach Pasquale Marino with Gianni De Biasi.

Former Torino boss De Biasi steps into the job after a difficult first-half of the season for Udinese.

De Biasi said: "I am proud to be a member of the Udinese family. I've always looked at this club with admiration at their organisation and excellent football in recent years.

"I arrived without economic demands, my only interest is to work for this side. I was already close to joining Udinese four years ago, but nothing came of it."

De Biasi has put pen to paper on a contract that expires at the end of the season, but has an option for another year.

He added: "I must bring self-belief and confidence to a squad that is going through a tricky time and understand what caused this.

"The team has some great individual talents and we'll try to figure out why there has been this sudden turnaround. We have to rediscover the joy of stepping on to the field.

"As for the tactical system, I'll talk it over with the players."