Fabio Liverani replaces Mauro Milanese at Leyton Orient

Liverani won three caps for Italy during his playing career

Former Italy international Fabio Liverani has replaced Mauro Milanese as Leyton Orient manager.

Milanese was in charge for only eight matches, presiding over only two wins.

He will revert to his previous role of sporting director - a position he was given in August following Francesco Becchetti's takeover of the east London club.

Liverani, who had a seven-match spell in charge of Genoa last year, has signed a two-and-a-half-year contract.

The 38-year-old has brought in Marcello Donatelli as assistant manager and Maurizio Cantarelli as fitness coach.

Liverani, whose first game in charge will be a home League One fixture against Peterborough on Saturday, was at Fiorentina, Lazio, Palermo and Perugia during his playing career.

The ex-midfielder, who is of Somali descent, became the first black Italian to play for his country when he was selected for a friendly against South Africa in April 2001.

More recently, he was a youth coach at Genoa before being promoted to manager in the summer of 2013, but lost his job after only one win.

"I'm excited about this challenge and cannot wait to get started at Leyton Orient," he said.

"This is a long-term project and we will work together to make it a success."

After the departure of Russell Slade for Cardiff, Kevin Nugent had a spell in temporary charge at the Matchroom Stadium before Milanese was handed the manager's role in October.

But the O's won only one of their five league games under him.

They are only above the League One relegation zone on goal difference and the decision to replace him was taken in the wake of Saturday's Johnstone's Paint Trophy defeat by Gillingham.

Milanese spent two years at QPR towards the end of a 19-year playing career in which he made his name as a tough-tackling defender at Inter Milan and Perugia.

Meanwhile, Orient have confirmed the departure of chief scout and goalkeeping coach Kevin Dearden for personal reasons.