Struggling Sassuolo fire manager Aquilani

Sassuolo have dismissed manager Alberto Aquilani after a run of poor results left the Serie A side just above the relegation zone. The change comes with the club struggling to secure points and conceding heavily, putting pressure on its position in Italy’s top flight.

Aquilani’s final match was Saturday’s 3-0 defeat away to Roma, where he began his playing career. Appointed in June, the 42-year-old former Liverpool player and Italy international won two of his first four league games, but Sassuolo have since gone seven matches without a win, losing six. They are 17th on eight points, one ahead of Monza, and have conceded 29 goals in 11 games; their next match is at home to Genoa on 22 November.