Qatari club Al-Arabi have decided to replace Gianfranco Zola with the experienced Gerardo Pelusso.

Zola guided the team to eighth place in the league last season but that was considered below expectations by the Al-Arabi hierarchy.

The former West Ham United and Watford boss had been linked with a return to English football in the Championship - most recently with Nottingham Forest - but the City Ground position was filled on Monday.

Pelusso has spent the majority of his career in South America, with his most significant role with the Paraguayan national team.