Serie A basement club Monza fire coach Nesta

Serie A's bottom club Monza sacked coach Alessandro Nesta on Monday, a day after a 2-1 loss to Juventus left them five points adrift of safety.

Nesta, a World Cup winner with Italy in 2006 as a player, lasted just 20 games in charge in all competitions after being appointed boss in July.

"The club thanks the coach for what he has done so far and wishes him the best for the future," Monza said in a statement.

Nesta, 48, replaced Raffaele Palladino at the helm after he left for Fiorentina following two impressive seasons with Monza.

The club have won only one of 17 league matches this term though and are in danger of dropping into Serie B.