Palermo hire Schelotto to replace Ballardini

Guillermo Barros Schelotto, coach of Argentina's Lanus, gestures during their Copa Sudamericana soccer match against Paraguay's Cerro Porteno in Asuncion October 14, 2014. [Photo/Agencies]

ROME - Palermo have hired former Argentina international Guillermo Barros Schelotto as coach, replacing Davide Ballardini, who's just two months in charge, the Serie A club announced on Monday.

"Guillermo Barros Schelotto is the new coach of Palermo," said a statement on the club's website.

"The Argentine will be assisted by Fabio Viviani, who in the course of the last week had just began training the first team."

Ballardini arrived for his second spell at the club in November when he replaced Giuseppe Iachini, who became the 29th coach to be sacked by owner Maurizio Zamparini.

Ballardini's second spell with the Sicilians left Zamparini looking elsewhere within a matter of weeks.

He began with a draw away to Lazio but saw Palermo register four defeats and just two wins since then.

Palermo won at Verona last weekend but it was widely reported that Ballardini, despite being on the touchlines, did not talk to the players either before or after the game.

Schelotto, 42, previously won the Copa Sudamericana with Argentine top flight side Lanus, in 2013.