Catania confirm Montella departure

Jun 4, 2012 11:10:00 PM

President Antonino Pulvirenti refused to allow the former Roma striker to return to the Stadio Olimpico, but he has now agreed to release the 37-year-old trainer from his contract

Catania have announced that they have parted company with boss Vincenzo Montella, seemingly paving the way for the former Italy international to take charge of Fiorentina.

The head coach assumed his duties last summer as a replacement for Diego Simeone, but impressed greatly in his one and only season at the Angelo Massimino, having led the Sicilians to a comfortable 11th-placed finish in Serie A.

Montella still had a year left on his contract with Catania, but the club confirmed on their official website on Monday that they have granted the 37-year-old an early release from his role.

“Catania announce that it has agreed in principle to the termination of its relationship with coach Vincenzo Montella," read a statement.

"The coming days will be used to evaluate the agreements and understandings that have been reached."

The former striker had been heavily linked with a return to Roma, following Luis Enrique's decision to step down at the end of the season, but Catania president Antonio Pulvirenti stood in his way and the Giallorossi ultimately ended up appointing Zdenek Zeman.

However, now that he has been belatedly allowed to move on, Montella now looks poised to take up residence at the Artemio Franchi, with Fiorentina looking for a new boss having fired Delio Rossi following his bust-up with Adem Ljajic towards the tail end of the campaign.

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