Lazio president Claudio Lotito stands by his decision to sack Davide Ballardini and replace him with Edy Reja.

Ballardini was officially sacked to make way for former Napoli and Hajduk Split Coach Reja, as the Biancocelesti had slipped into the bottom three.

"Unfortunately football is about results and the first to go under the spotlight when things go wrong are the Coach and the President," Lotito told Calciomercato.it.

"We chose Reja when it became clear the team needed a radical change of direction to find the strength and hunger to fight. Reja is experienced and a great Coach.

"Unfortunately this was a necessary choice, but Ballardini remains without doubt a wonderful tactician and a good man."