Marco Giampaolo has been announced as new manager of Empoli on an initial one year deal following Maurizio Sarri's departure for the Napoli job.
In a short statement released by the club on Monday, they confirmed that they had "entrusted the technical guidance" of Empoli with Marco Giampaolo. The club reminded fans that this would be a "return to Serie A for Giampaolo", who "previously managed Cagliari, Siena and Catania, amongst others."
The side could also confirm the official presentation would happen in the Stadio Carlo Castellani press room before midday on Tuesday.
In it since the beginning
Following Maurizio Sarri's resignation in order to take on the Napoli job, Empoli president Fabrizio Corsi admitted the club were "evaluating several options" and that "Giampaolo was one of them.”
Corsi never disclosed any of the others who ran for the job and there was little in the way of speculation as to who it might have been.
Good foundations
Giampaolo, 47, has struggled every time while managing a club in Serie A and will be very thankful of the good foundations in place at Empoli, who impressively finished 15th despite being a pre-season favourite to be relegated.
He was last in charge at third tier Cremonese following a brief spell with Brescia in Serie B where he lasted just three months at the club before walking out following a defeat to Crotone.
Potential money to spend
€6 million rated Mirko Valdifiori looks set to follow Sarri to Napoli as talks reportedly took place on Monday between both Empoli and Napoli as Sarri looks to build his Napoli. Valdifiori admitted that being linked with Napoli "is an honour," and is hopeful that this is the next "step up" in his career.
21-year-old highly rated defender Elseid Hysaj has also been linked with a move to the Stadio San Paolo in recent days.