Italy legend Andrea Pirlo facing sack from new job after just NINE games as furious fans launch protests
ITALY legend Andrea Pirlo is reportedly on the verge of being sacked by Sampdoria.
The former Serie A champions went down to Serie B last season and they are now in danger of back-to-back relegations.
Ex-Leeds owner Andrea Radrizzani became part of a consortium that bought the club back in May, but the new bosses have failed to turn things around.
Pirlo was appointed as manager in June, but he has since led Sampdoria to just one league win.
And Sampdoria now sit 19th in the Serie B table.
According to Calciomercato, Pirlo is on the verge of being sacked as a result.
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However, the club plan to stick with him at least until their next match against Ascoli this weekend.
Sampdoria fans started to protest during the club's loss to Catanzaro on Sunday.
And after the defeat, Pirlo said: "It's difficult to comment on these types of defeats after every game. We had taken the lead, then they managed to equalise with a half cross, with defensive indecision.
"Everything becomes more difficult, but we must not look for alibis, we know that this is the moment.
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"We must not let our guard down, we must be more concentrated and try to get out of this situation together. We had the opportunities, but in football whoever scores goals wins and we were unable to do so.
"The situation at the moment is this, we must try to stay united and try to get out of it quickly. We must try to be positive and not get caught up in this fear that we see and feel when we play. At the moment we are fragile and cannot win."
Before becoming a manager, Pirlo played for Brescia, Inter Milan, AC Milan and Juventus before retiring at New York City FC.
He also made 116 appearances for the Italian national team.