 A few days later, on 5 June, Palermo unveiled Walter Zenga as new head coach, thus ending speculation regarding Ballardini's future with the "rosanero".Despite being dismissed as head coach following these events, Ballardini was however still under a contract for two more years with the Sicilian club.Finally, after long rumours connecting Ballardini's name as the next coach of Lazio following Delio Rossi's departure, he was appointed as the new manager of the Roman club on 15 June 2009.