on 5 april 2010 he was reappointed back at the helm of livorno, taking over from dismissed head coach serse cosmi, in a desperate attempt to save the team from relegation. he was this time allowed to act as head coach despite still not having the required coaching badges, thanks to a 60-day derogation from the italian football federation. the attempt was not successful, and livorno went down to serie b after only one season in the italian top flight.