Mihajlovic leaves Serbia to coach Sampdoria

GENOA, Italy (AP) Sinisa Mihajlovic has been hired as Sampdoria coach after failing to guide Serbia to the World Cup.

The Serie A club made the announcement on its website on Wednesday, nine days after firing Delio Rossi.

Mihajlovic played for Sampdoria from 1994-98 and previously coached Bologna, Catania and Fiorentina in Italy.

Sampdoria has won only two of its opening 12 matches this season and sits third from bottom.

Mihajlovic's first match in charge will come on Sunday vs. Lazio, another squad for whom the former defender played.

It's the fourth coaching change in Serie A this season.

Mihajlovic took over his home team Serbia in 2012 and they finished third in their Europe group in World Cup qualifying.