Fiorentina have hired former Italy
striker Vincenzo Montella as their new manager, the Serie A club
said on Monday.
Montella has signed a two-year contract with the Tuscan club
with an option for a third year.
"Fiorentina convinced me [to sign] because they want to be
great again, to return to the part of the league table where
they belong, and I feel the same desire," the former Roma
striker told a news conference.
"The club have shown me great respect and this motivates a
great feeling of responsibility in me because Florence is a
great place."
Montella said he wanted to bring Fiorentina back to the top
of the table after a difficult year in which they were
threatened with relegation to Serie B.
Last season was marked by frequent fan protests and a plunge
in attendances as fans lost faith in the team.
"The club have asked me to recreate enthusiasm for the team,
we want to bring ourselves closer to the supporters," he said.
Montella replaces Delio Rossi, who was sacked towards the
end of last season after punching his own player Adem Ljajic
during Fiorentina's 2-2 draw with relegation rivals Novara.
He had an impressive season with Catania, guiding them to a
comfortable mid-table finish and playing an exciting brand of
football in the process, and he had been linked with the AS Roma
job after Luis Enrique's exit.
However his former club chose the flamboyant Zdenek Zeman,
another manager who favours an attacking style of play.
Catania announced the signing of Rolando Maran, who lost the
Serie B playoff final to Sampdoria with Varese this weekend, as
Montella's replacement on Monday.
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