Atalanta have wielded the axe on coach Stefano Colantuono after their recent poor form, replacing him with Edy Reja in the Bergamo hotseat.

La Dea sit just three points above the relegation zone following a run of four successive defeats after their 2-1 win over Cagliari at the start of last month.

The club released a statement on their website confirming the news: “Atalanta BC announces that it has parted company with coach Stefano Colantuono who will now be replaced by Mr Edy Reja.

“The club expresses its deep appreciation and gratitude to Mr Colantuono for all of the hard work he has did over the past five years.”

Colantuono took over at the Bergamo club in 2010 (winning promotion on his first season in charge) after leaving Torino and is replaced by Reja, whose most recent role in Serie A came with Lazio last season.