Montella agrees to be new Fiorentina coach

ROME - Reuters

Fiorentina has hired former Italy striker Vincenzo Montella as its new manager, the Serie A club said yesterday. Montella signed a two-year contract with the Tuscan club with an option for a third year.

“Forentina 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 has 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 it was 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.

Montella replaces Delio Rossi, who was sacked last season after punching his own player Adem Ljajic.