Genoa has fired Alberto Malesani following a protest-filled 4-1 loss to Siena and hired Luigi De Canio for the final five matches of Serie A, marking the 18th coaching change in the Italian league this season.

While Genoa has not made an official announcement, club president Enrico Preziosi confirmed the move to RAI state radio Monday.

Sunday's match with Siena was suspended for about 45 minutes early in the second half, when Genoa fans threw flares onto the pitch and climbed atop barriers as they were faced by stewards in riot gear.

With their side trailing 4-0, players even removed their shirts in front of the hard-core ''ultra'' fans to acknowledge they weren't worthy of wearing them.

The loss left Genoa just one point above the relegation zone.          

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