Italian club Parma have rejected reports suggesting sacked Leeds manager David O'Leary could join them - because they have just appointed a new coach.

The Italian club appointed former Venezia boss Cesare Prandelli on a two-year contract prior to the World Cup.

They therefore dismissed the suggestion that the 44-year-old Irishman could be in place for the start of the new Serie A season, after press reports that O'Leary had been approached in Sardinia on Monday.

Parma spokesman Giorgio Bottaro said: "We recently acquired a new coach, Cesare Prandelli, who was presented a month ago and has signed a two-year deal with us.

"It (the story) is absolutely unfounded. We are not looking for a coach, we already have one."

The club narrowly avoided the drop to Serie B last season and the club are seeking stability following a year which saw coaches come and go at the Ennio Tardini Stadium.

They began last season with Alberto Malesani in charge, but he was dismissed and replaced with Argentinian Daniel Passarella.

Passarella was axed after six successive losses followed his arrival, and Gedeone Carmignani took charge from December until the end of the season - assisted by former Italy chief Arrigo Sacchi.