Torino confirmed the re-appointment of former boss Gianni De Biasi after they sacked coach Walter Novellino.

"Pride could be the key to safety," De Biasi, in his third stint with Torino, said after quitting Spanish Primera Division struggler Levante.

Ex-Sampdoria coach Novellino replaced De Biasi before the start of the season but has struggled of late and fans demonstrated at training two days after a weak 3-0 defeat at Genoa.

Torino are four points clear of the drop zone with five games left having looked safe just a few weeks ago.

Serie A clubs have a habit of reappointing former coaches. Last month Empoli brought back Luigi Cagni, and Stefano Colantuono, sacked in November, returned to Palermo.

Novellino is the 13th Serie A coach dismissed this season.

Levante are bottom of the Primera Division, the position they occupied when De Biasi took charge last October.

Reuters