Italian club SPAL have sacked coach Leonardo Semplici, the Serie A basement club confirmed on Monday. The announcement comes after the Ferrara-based team lost 2-1 at home against Sassuolo on Sunday. Semplici, 52, took over in December 2014 leading the club from Serie C up to the top flight for the first time in 49 years for the 2017-2018 campaign. SPAL finished 13th last season but this campaign, despite impressive wins against Lazio, Torino and Atalanta, have just 15 points from 23 games. ea/cw