Guillermo Barros Schelotto has officially replaced Davide Ballardini as Palermo head coach after a perplexing 24 hours in the Sicilian capital.
It appeared Ballardini might have lost his job on Sunday, in the wake of Palermo's 1-0 victory at Hellas Verona, but no club statement emanated from the board despite the fact goalkeeper Stefano Sorrentino had told the Italian press the 52-year-old had departed.
"Today Palermo won this game all by ourselves, without the manager," the captain told Sky Italia.
He later thanked his teammates, president Maurizio Zamparini and the club's backroom staff for their support in an Instagram post, while neglecting to mention Ballardini.
Late on Monday evening, Palermo confirmed former Boca Juniors player Barros Schelotto as the new boss at Stadio Renzo Barbera. The 42-year-old Argentinian will be assisted by Fabio Viviani, who had been serving as Ballardini's assistant.
Palermo are 16th in the Serie A table, six points above the relegation zone, at the halfway stage of the season and next face fellow strugglers Genoa.