Former Italy international goalkeeper Walter Zenga is expected to be officially announced as the replacement for Sampdoria coach Sinisa Mihajlovic, ahead of his imminent departure from the Serie A club.

Former Inter Milan, Lazio and Sampdoria midfielder Mihajlovic led the Genoa-based side to a respectable seventh place finish in his first season in charge.

But the Serbian's no-nonsense approach at the Samp helm means he is expected to be named as the successor to AC Milan coach Filippo Inzaghi, whose sacking appears imminent.

Sampdoria have made no official announcement regarding Mihajlovic but posted a message on Twitter which suggested Zenga will soon take over.

"Walter Zenga has just arrived in Genoa to resume a discussion that was started so many years ago," the club said in a somewhat cryptic message on their official Twitter page.

Zenga was questioned by reporters upon his arrival at Genoa airport and said: "I can assure you it's very emotional for me to return here, I spent two unforgettable years in Genoa.

"To take over the post of a friend such as Mihajlovic will be a formidable challenge."

Sampdoria's seventh place finish would normally have ruled them out of contention for the Europa League, but they have earned the third and last spot in Serie A because city rivals Genoa failed to obtain a UEFA licence.

Genoa's Luigi Ferraris stadium does not comply with UEFA regulations and although Samp share the ground, the club had the foresight to lodge Sassuolo's Mapei Stadium as the venue for Europa League home games.