Serie A strugglers Cagliari Calcio have appointed Gianfranco Zola as their new manager.

The 48-year-old Italian has replaced Zdenek Zeman, who was relieved of his duties earlier this week.

Cagliari currently sit in 18th place in the Serie A table following an eight-game winless run.

Zola will take charge of the team for the first time on January 6 when they travel to Palermo in the league.

The former Chelsea forward had been out of work after leaving Watford one year ago.