Last updated on .From the section European Football

Gianfranco Zola has previously managed at English sides West Ham United and Watford

Gianfranco Zola's Serie A coaching career got off to a poor start as his Cagliari side lost 5-0 at Palermo.

Zola, who replaced Zdenen Zeman last month after an eight-match winless run, saw Michel Morganella and Ezequiel Munoz put the Sicilians 2-0 ahead.

Cagliari had Daniele Conti sent off for a second bookable offence in the 26th minute before Paulo Dybala made it 3-0 with a penalty.

Dybala and Edgar Barreto completed the rout after half-time.

"We expected a difficult match, but not that difficult," Zola said. "Of course, in a situation like this, everything seems more difficult, but there is no point in crying about this, we have to react."

The loss leaves Cagliari on 12 points, four points from safety inside the relegation zone.

Palermo, in eighth, are level on 25 points with AC Milan, who suffered a surprise 2-1 loss at home to Sassuolo.