New Sampdoria coach Walter Zenga hopes to improve on the achievements of predecessor Sinisa Mihajlovic to earn a longer contract with the Serie A club he calls 'home', he said on Friday.

Former Italy international Zenga, once considered one of the world's best goalkeepers and known as the 'Uomo Ragno' (Spider Man) in Italy due to his great agility and reflexes, was unveiled by the Genoa-based club after signing a one-year deal earlier this week.

Returning to the club where he played from 1994-1996, Zenga takes over from Mihajlovic -- who is currently linked to the job at AC Milan -- after the Serbian's one-year spell in charge of Sampdoria left them on the verge of qualifying for the Europa League.

Zenga has signed just a one-year deal but hopes to show club owner and president Massimo Ferrero he is worthy of having it extended by the end of the season.

"I don't feel like I'm just passing through here. It feels like I've reached my destination with Sampdoria. I've come back home," Zenga said.

"I wanted only a one-year deal so as not to complicate matters. If things go well, and I'm sure they will, a contract extension will be automatic.

"In one year some great things have been achieved here, I'm here to try and improve on that."

Uner Mihajlovic, Sampdoria briefly flirted with a top four finish but trailed away towards the end of the season to finish seventh.

It would normally have ruled them out of contention for the Europa League, but Samp are hoping to earn the third and last spot in Serie A because city rivals Genoa failed to obtain a UEFA licence.

Genoa's Luigi Ferraris stadium does not comply with UEFA regulations and although Samp share the ground, the club had the foresight to lodge Sassuolo's Mapei Stadium as the venue for Europa League home games.