Sunday's 3-0 defeat at Genoa was the Granata's fifth defeat in six games and left the Turin outfit only four points clear of the drop zone with five Serie A games remaining.

Novellino replaced De Biasi at the beginning of the season, after the latter guided the team to safety last campaign.

mfl

"In the last six games, although we have also been hit by misfortune, a worrying situation was created," said Torino president Urbano Cairo.

"There wasn't any motivation.

"But players and fans have had no effect: I didn't act with the fans' protests in mind and not even the players have asked to get rid of Novellino."

Cairo took the decision on Tuesday night but did not confirm Novellino's dismissal until Wednesday afternoon - although the cancellation of the morning training sessions sparked a frenzy in the Italian media.

De Biasi returns to the Serie A strugglers for his third spell at the helm, having previously led the club to promotion two years ago.

The 51-year-old was sacked at the beginning of last season only to be recalled in February until the end of the campaign before being replaced by Novellino.

"Pride could be the decisive factor in securing safety," said De Biasi.

De Biasi had a clause in his contract with Primera Liga strugglers Levante allowing him to return to Torino.