Stefano Pioli has been sacked by Lazio following Sunday's 4-1 defeat at the hands of fierce rivals Roma.

The 50-year-old finished second in the voting for the Italian Coach of the Year award just last month, having steered Lazio to a third-place finish in Serie A last term.

However, things have not gone quite as well this season, with Sunday's derby defeat leaving the club eighth in the table.

Lazio trail leaders Juventus by 31 points and are 14 adrift of the European places with only seven matches of the season remaining.

That has led the club to part company with Pioli, who took over as head coach in June 2014 following a stint with Bologna.

Former Lazio striker Simone Inzaghi, who spent 11 years at the club during his playing days, will take charge of the team for the rest of the season.