Bari replace Ventura with Mutti

Bottom side Bari has appointed veteran coach Bortolo Mutti to succeed Giampiero Ventura in a last-ditch bid to avoid relegation from Serie A.

The southern Italian club, who played some exciting football on their return to the top flight last term, have found their second campaign much tougher and have been hampered by injuries.

Pundits had praised Bari for sticking by Ventura, 63, despite being rock bottom of the table but six defeats in a row led to his exit.

“Bortolo Mutti is the new coach of Bari and he has signed until the end of the season,” a club statement said.

The 56-year-old starts at home to Genoa on Sunday with Bari nine points adrift of the safety zone with 14 games left.