Palermo president Maurizio Zamparini has likened caretaker coach Devis Mangia to Barcelona's Pep Guardiola.

Mangia has stepped up from the youth after the sacking of Stefano Pioli.

"He is young, a bit like Pep Guardiola," Zamparini told Il Giornale di Sicilia.

"I can see that the team is following him, as he has good common sense. The players follow his directives because they agree with him.

"He loves football that is hard-working with a lot of movement off the ball, which is what I like too. He is positive, innovative and a very humble person."