Lazio on Sunday sacked Stefano Pioli following a 4-1 defeat to derby rivals Roma and handed the reins to youth team coach Simone Inzaghi.

Pioli has endured a roller-coaster season at the club but Sunday's reverse -- their second this season to their city rivals -- proved too much for club president Claudio Lotito.

Lazio remain in eighth place but are now 31 points behind leaders Juventus, 21 adrift of Roma and 14 behind Fiorentina in the first Europa League qualifying place.

The Serie A strugglers said in a short statement: "Lazio announces the departure of first team coach Stefano Pioli. The first team squad will be taken by Simone Inzaghi."

Inzaghi is the brother of former AC Milan striker Filippo Inzaghi, who was sacked by the Rossoneri last year after failing to find success with the seven-time European champions.

He will take charge ahead of Lazio's trip to relegation-threatened Palermo next week in what will be his first coaching appointment at senior level.

Pioli, 50, took over at Lazio for the start of last season following three seasons at the helm of Bologna and steered the team to a third place finish and a Champions League qualifying place.

Lazio failed to reach the competition proper after defeat to Bayer Leverkusen in the play-offs.