AC Milan sack Vincenzo Montella and replace him with club legend Gennaro Gattuso

Milan are seventh in Serie A and 18 points off leaders Napoli

Gattuso led Milan's Primavera side to third in their table (Getty)

AC Milan have sacked manager Vincenzo Montella and immediately replaced him with club legend Gennaro Gattuso.

The decision was made following the goalless draw with Torino over the weekend which left Milan 18 points behind leaders Napoli in Serie A despite heavy investment of £205m worth of new players over the summer.

That game was their fourth successive home game without a goal having won just two of their last nine league games. Montella won 10 of his first 12 games in charge of the Rossoneri and qualified for the next round of the Europa League but after only six victories in Serie A, his time in charge came to an end on Monday.

On their official Twitter account, Milan, who are seventh in Serie A, confirmed the change by saying: “AC Milan announce to have parted ways with Vincenzo Montella. Management of the first team is entrusted to Gennaro Gattuso, who leaves his position as Primavera coach and to whom we wish the best of luck.”

Gattuso takes over after leading Milan’s second-string side to third in their table and played for the club for 14 years between 1999 and 2013, winning two Serie A titles and two Champions Leagues.