Cagliari Have Sacked Walter Mazzarri But Have Also Extended His Contract

Walter Mazzarri has been sacked by Serie A club Cagliari while simultaneously having his contract extended to 2024, according to reports in Italy.

Former Watford boss Mazzarri was dismissed by Cagliari on Monday with the club 17th in the table, two points outside the relegation zone with three games remaining in the season.

A one sentence statement announcing his dismissal was released on the club's website, which read: "Cagliari Calcio announces that it has relieved Walter Mazzarri from his post as first-team coach."

However, Mazzarri could technically remain employed by Cagliari until 2024 because of a bizarre clause that is rumoured to be in his contract.

In September, Mazzarri signed a new deal with the club which reportedly included the clause that stated he would have his contract extended until 2024 if he was dismissed from his role while the club was outside the relegation zone.

Despite losing 2-1 to Verona on Saturday, Cagliari remain outside the bottom three after 18th-place Salernitana were held to a 1-1 draw at Atalanta on Monday.

Cagliari return to action on Sunday against Salernitana, who have a game in hand against their relegation rivals.

The Sardinian side will then face Inter Milan and Venezia in their final two games of the season.

Cagliari's youth team coach Alessandro Agostini is set to take charge of the team for their three remaining games.

Meanwhile, Mazzarri – who was linked with Liverpool before Jurgen Klopp's arrival on Merseyside – is set to go on gardening leave.

Should the reports of the clause in his contract turn out to be correct, Mazzarri is likely to receive a significant pay-out from Cagliari to get him off their books before 2024.

Not bad work if you can get it.