Zdenek Zeman has returned to take the top job at Cagliari following the Serie A club's decision to sack Gianfranco Zola on Monday.

Zeman parted company with the club in December and was replaced by Zola, who lasted just 11 games - winning two of those to leave Cagliari 18th in the table.

And, with 12 games to go to save their top-flight status, Cagliari have acted quickly to get Zeman back at the helm, despite the fact he managed only three victories from his 18 games in charge this term.

A club statement read: "Cagliari Calcio announce that the [role of leading the team] was entrusted to Zdenek Zeman and his staff composed of Vincenzo Cangelosi, Giacomo Modica and Roberto Ferola."

Zola, who finished his playing career at the Stadio Sant'Elia, saw his tenure get off to a foreboding start, with a 5-0 loss at Palermo in his first game.

The first of his two wins came in the following match at home to Cesena, but a run of six games without a win sealed his fate.

Zeman's return to the dugout will come on Saturday, when Empoli are the visitors as Cagliari seek to close the four-point gap to safety.