New Sampdoria coach Sinisa Mihajlovic has called on his players to roll up their sleeves and dig deep in a bid to stave off the threat of relegation to Italy's Serie B.

Mihajlovic joined the ailing Serie A club on Wednesday after quitting his post as manager of Serbia, whom he failed to lead to the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

He has a six-month contract at the Genoese club, one of several he played at during a long career in Italy's top flight.

Despite pledging to do everything in his power to remain in the top flight, Mihajlovic, borrowing a well-known phrase from former American president John F. Kennedy, called on the squad to do their bit in the salvage operation.

"To the players I say, don't ask what the club can do for you, but what you can do for the club," Mihajlovic said at his official unveiling on Thursday.

"I had the offer of a lengthy contract to coach Serbia, but instead I chose a six-month deal at Sampdoria because the club helped me to become what I am today."

Sampdoria sit third from bottom of Italy's Serie A on nine points from 12 games, with their last three performances, all defeats, leading to the sacking of Delio Rossi earlier this month.

Former Yugoslav international Mihajlovic was confirmed in his new post on Wednesday, but has been handed a baptism of fire as Sampdoria host his former club, Lazio, on Sunday.

Mihajlovic has already coached Fiorentina, Bologna and Catania in Serie A after a distinguished playing career which saw him win the European Cup with Red Star Belgrade in 1991 and the Italian league title with Lazio.

Mihajlovic played for Sampdoria from 1994 to 1998.