Menichini is fired as Ancona coach

MILAN, Italy -- Ancona's Leonardo Menichini has become the first coaching casualty of the Serie A season, leaving the club on Monday after four games in charge.

Ancona, whose 3-0 defeat to Roma on Sunday left them bottom of the table with just a point, said on their website the decision was taken by "mutual consent."

Menichini had worked for many years as assistant to Carlo Mazzone but took the Ancona job during the close-season after Mazzone, now with Bologna, left Brescia.

Ancona won promotion from Serie B last season with former Inter Milan coach Gigi Simoni in charge but he decided against extending his deal with the club.

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