Benevento fire Marco Beroni, hire Roberto De Zerbi

Benevento have confirmed that head coach Marco Beroni has been relieved of his duties following the club's disastrous start to the season.

The Wizards - promoted from Serie B as playoff winners last term - set an unwanted record on Sunday afternoon when they lost 3-0 at home to Fiorentina, becoming the first Serie A side in history to lose their first nine games of the season.

The club, who also fired sporting director Salvatore Di Somma, are now thought to have to pay Beroni around £800,000 in termination compensation.

A statement on the Benevento website read: "The club thanks Baroni for his professionalism and the great emotions that he brought to Benevento football club, the fans and the city, with promotion to Serie A."

Roberto De Zerbi - formerly of Palermo and Foggia - was quickly named as Beroni's replacement and will take charge of his new side for the first time tomorrow night when they travel to Cagliari.