Zenga was dismissed after Sunday's 1-1 draw against Catania, the club he coached prior to joining Palermo this summer.

"I honestly didn't expect this," said Zenga. "I am extremely disappointed but I don't want to talk in the heat of the moment.

"I spoke to Palermo president Maurizio Zamparini this morning but I will speak to the press on Wednesday."

Zenga, who was under contract with Palermo until June 2012, became the seventh coach to be dismissed in Serie A this season.

The former Inter Milan player had reason to be perplexed having been given a vote of confidence by Zamparini ahead of Sunday's game.

However, a recent run of poor form which had seen Palermo go without a win since October 25 and drop to 12th in Serie A after 13 games, marked the end of Zenga's brief spell in charge.

Former Lazio coach Delio Rossi is the leading candidate to replace Zenga, but the club have yet to make a decision.

"We are thinking about it," said Palermo sporting director Walter Sabatini. "I don't know if it will be one between Delio Rossi, Daniele Arrigoni or Mario Beretta.

"In the next few hours we will make a decision."