BERNE, Nov 7 (Reuters) - Struggling Swiss first division side Bellinzona, whose coach quit after they conceded 12 goals in their previous two league games, were crushed 7-0 by Grasshoppers on Saturday on another miserable day.

Davide Belotti took charge on an interim basis as coach, replacing Marco Schaellibaum, but he failed to change his team's fortunes as they found themselves 3-0 down at halftime to goals from Senad Lulic, Gonzalo Zarate and Davide Calla.

Lulic and Argentine forward Zarate helped themselves to further goals after the break while captain Boris Smiljanic converted two penalties, the second awarded for a foul by Bellinzona keeper Carlo Zotti who was sent off.

The defeat left Bellinzona, the only top-flight team from Switzerland's Italian-speaking region, ninth in the 10-team Super League with 12 points from 16 games in which they have scored 20 goals and conceded 47.

Schaellibaum quit after his team lost 7-1 at home to leaders Young Boys Berne, followed by a 5-0 thrashing against promoted St Gallen, also at home. (Reporting by Brian Homewood; Editing by Sonia Oxley; To comment on this story: sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)