Palermo president Maurizio Zamparini has sacked coach Roberto De Zerbi.

De Zerbi was axed after their Coppa Italia defeat to Spezia.

“A pitiful match," Zamparini told reporters.

“A pitiful squad and a pitiful Coach. The day before the match I sent him a message on his mobile phone telling him that I didn't care about the Fiorentina match, but that the Spezia one was a very delicate one from a psychological perspective.

“That's why I asked him to play all the starters. He put out a team with a load of reserves. I'm sure he did it to get sacked, and therefore I'll seek termination of his contract for gross misconduct.

“I'm disappointed by this, because rather than being an insult to me, it's an insult to Palermo fans and their passion."