Vincenzo Montella, former manager of Serie A's AFC Fiorentina
Vincenzo Montella, manager of Serie A's ACF Fiorentina, has been fired, the club announced in a statement on its official website on Saturday.
"The decision was taken following a long and detailed analysis of the team's performances and results. Given the need to rediscover the necessary grit and determination on the pitch and produce an immediate turnaround, the owners and management decided that a change of coach was the best option," Fiorentina said in a statement.
One day earlier, the team suffered a 4-1 loss to Roma at home, which was the eighth defeat of "The Lilieds" who currently rank fourteenth in Italy's top league with a record of 4-5-8, only four points above the relegation area.
Vincenzo Montella, former manager of AFC Fiorentina, gives instructions to players during the Serie A game against Roma at Stadio Artemio Franchi, Florence, Italy, December 20, 2019.
Montella became manager of Fiorentina again this summer but he has apparently failed to meet the expectations that were placed on him. Ironically, since becoming the official manager of the first team of a club in 2011 (Catania), Fiorentina has been the only club that he coached for over one season (2012-15). However, this time even The Lilieds have become tired of him.
The club said that a new manager will be appointed in the coming days but it did not specify who. Several names have made the candidate list – Luciano Spallett, Beppe Iachini, Gigi Di Biagio and Cesare Prandelli.
Sportitalia and La Gazzetta dello Sport believe that Iachini may be the club's favorite.