Del Neri exits Samp, set for Juve

(GSM) – Luigi Del Neri has parted ways with Serie A side Sampdoria, and is expected to replace Alberto Zaccheroni at the helm of Juventus.

The 59-year-old, who guided the Genoa outfit to a fourth-placed finish in Serie A, has now left the side after 24 hours following the conclusion of 2009-10 season.

A statement from Sampdoria read: “Sampdoria announces that in the 2010-11 campaign, they will not continue with the services of first team coach Luigi Del Neri.

“The club wants to thank the coach and his staff for the professionalism and dedication shown this season and wishes them the best of luck in their future careers.”

Del Neri joined Samp last summer after two seasons in charge of Atalanta.

Although staying with Samp would have allowed him to take part in the Champions League next season, Del Neri now looks to be heading for Juve who will have to qualify for the Europa League.

Juventus have been looking for a new coach with Zaccheroni’s contract set to expire this month.

Zaccheroni, who replaced sacked Ciro Ferrara earlier this year, has failed to lead the club to a top four-finish and his Juve side lost 3-0 at Milan on Saturday in the final game of the campaign.

Del Neri had not been considered a top contender for the Juventus hotseat in recent months, with Liverpool coach Rafael Benitez reportedly the number one target of the Turin giants.

Despite spells at Roma and FC Porto, Del Neri is most famous for his successful stint at Chievo.

He took Chievo from Serie B into the top flight for the first time in their history and established them in the top half of Serie A, winning plaudits for the way he got the most out of players with modest backgrounds.

The Italian tactician guided Atalanta to defend their Serie A status for two consecutive seasons before joining Samp last summer.