The decision to sack Pillon came after Chievo lost 1-0 to Torino on Sunday - their fifth defeat in six league matches so far this season.

"I'm sorry to leave but I understand their decision," Pillon was quoted as saying on La Gazzetta dello Sport's Web site on Monday.

"Del Neri is an excellent choice. He already knows the club and is probably the right person to get the best out of the players."

Del Neri coached Chievo between 2000 and 2004, winning promotion to Serie A in his first year in charge then guiding the club to a fifth-place finish in their first-ever season in the top flight before leaving at the end of that campaign.

Chievo currently lie 16th out of 20 teams in Serie A, with one point from six matches.

Del Neri's first match in charge will be a tricky away trip this weekend to second-placed AS Roma, who he coached briefly during the 2004-05 season.