Sampdoria chief Beppe Marotta has branded local media as 'knuckleheads'.

Rumours questioning coach Walter Mazzarri's future have abounded since the Blucerchiati were beaten by Bologna on Sunday.

"Mazzarri has done very well in the last two years," Marotta told Primocanale. "We are sorry for the recent stories that have been put in circulation by some knucklehead."