#INSERT type:image caption:Delio Rossi guided Bologna back into the top flight last season. END#
Delio Rossi has been sacked as coach of Bologna following his side's 1-0 defeat at home to Inter Milan on Tuesday night, which left the promoted side at risk of dropping to the bottom of the standings on Wednesday night.
Roberto Donadoni, who has been out of work following the collapse of Parma at the end of last season, is regarded as the No. 1 candidate to replace him.
Rossi guided the Emilia-Romagna club back into the top flight last season, but results since promotion have not been in keeping with the club's ambitions. A win over Carpi at the weekend, thanks to a last-minute goal, earned him a stay of execution, but Tuesday night's defeat has proven to be the final straw.
"Bologna announce that Delio Rossi has been relieved of his duties as coach of the first team," said a statement on the club's website. "Sincere thanks go to him for the work he has carried out always with professionalism and competence. We also wish him and all of his staff the best of luck professionally."
Wednesday's training session was led by Paolo Magnani, the coach of the club's under-17 side, as the search for a successor commences.
Rossi felt his side were unfortunate to be beaten by 10-man Inter on Tuesday night, saying he could not fault his players for their efforts.
"Unfortunately, we're paying dearly for every mistake we make," he said. "We're a side who are wasting a lot of energy and for the umpteenth time, I have to comment on a match in which the lads played well, but clearly this was not enough.
"In football, if you win then you are always right, but I felt we deserved a draw tonight, and it would have been a precious point, deserved for the way we played. We need to build on the good things we've done and work hard on being more clinical in front of goal."
That will now be the responsibility of his successor as Rossi becomes the second Serie A coach to be sacked this season, after Carpi parted company with Fabrizio Castori a month ago.