Walter Zenga has risked the wrath of half of Sicily by signing a three-year deal to coach Palermo only days after leaving island rivals Catania.

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The former Italy goalkeeper, who has expertly kept Catania in Serie A for the past two seasons, had been linked in the media with Lazio.

"He has signed a three-year deal," Palermo president Maurizio Zamparini said.

Zenga has replaced Davide Ballardini, who led the club to eight spot in Serie A this term and had looked poised to stay before announcing he had fallen out with the outspoken Zamparini.

The club president had previously mentioned former Juventus coach Claudio Ranieri and Siena boss Marco Giampaolo as candidates for the job.

Palermo and Catania have one of the fiercest rivalries in Italian football and two years ago a policeman was killed during a riot outside the derby match.