Lazio replaces Pioli with Simone Inzaghi after derby loss

Lazio’s coach from Italy Stefano Pioli (R) looks dejected as AS Roma’s players celebrate during the Italian Serie A football match Lazio vs AS Roma at the Olympic stadium in Rome on April 3, 2016. AFP

ROME — Lazio has fired Stefano Pioli and named Simone Inzaghi its new coach following a 4-1 derby loss to Roma.

Lazio announced the move late Sunday (Monday Manila time), hours after the defeat to its bitter city rival left the team in eighth place and unlikely to qualify for European competition.

Pioli led Lazio to a third-place finish last season but this campaign began poorly with a loss to Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League playoffs.

The 39-year-old Inzaghi, a former Lazio player, had been coaching the club’s youth squad. His older brother, Filippo Inzaghi, was a standout player for Juventus and AC Milan and coached Milan last season.

It is Simone Inzaghi’s first coaching position in Serie A.

Lazio is the eighth Serie A club to change coaches this season.