The Serie A side is bottom of the table and has lost five of its last six league matches, a stretch that has left it seven points adrift of safety.

Semplici, who took over in 2014 and led SPAL from Serie C to promotion to Serie A in 2017, has paid the price for that run of form and is expected to be replaced by Luigi Di Biagio.

"The club thanks Mr Semplici and his staff for the work done and results achieved over the years," SPAL, beaten 2-1 by Sassuolo, said in a statement.