Football
Ben Gladwell, Italy correspondent 9y

Vincenzo Montella refuses to back down after criticising Fiorentina fans

Fiorentina coach Vincenzo Montella Montella said he had nothing for which to apologise regarding his criticism of the club's fans for the way they "derided" his players during Thursday's Europa League exit to Sevilla.

Montella was furious at what he felt was unfair treatment of his team during the second leg of their Europa League semifinal tie, with the Serie A side slipping to a 2-0 home loss.

"It's true that those that pay have the right to express their opinions," Montella said to the Italian press. "But considering what the team has done and how it has played this season, we didn't deserve to be booed."

When asked prior to his side's return to domestic duty against Parma on Monday night whether he regretted making those remarks, which further angered Fiorentina fans, Montella said he had nothing to apologise for.

"I can accept my team being insulted, offended or whistled, but I cannot accept them being derided," he said at a news conference. "I have a duty to defend my team for what they are and for what they have done and I am prepared to go against an entire city to defend my players.

"Last year we reached the final of the Coppa Italia -- this year we lost in the semifinal, as we did in the Europa League, beating extremely strong sides who had dropped out of the Champions League on the way.

"I therefore believe that my team have done a great job. This doesn't prevent some fans being disappointed, but my lads deserve respect and to be defended by me.

"The city of Florence has always proven itself to be civil, but this does not mean that I'm not allowed to say that the fans got it wrong.

"My team warrant respect and I hope the fans will continue to support us the way they have. I'd be upset if this one defeat would alter the balance of their judgment and that they would abandon us."

Montella gave equally short thrift to suggestions he had intentionally sought to break a bond with the Viola fans to ease a move away in the summer.

The 40-year-old has been touted as a candidate for positions at AC Milan, Sampdoria and Roma should their current coaches move on this summer, but Montella says there was no ulterior motive to his remarks, insisting that his future will be determined in agreement with the club this summer.

"I've always been correct and honest," he added. "I don't need to break any relationship -- I know what I have to do if I want to leave, but before anything I have to speak to my bosses at the end of the season.

"Only they will know my decision first. I challenge anybody to prove that I have already met with presidents of other clubs."

Fiorentina slipped to sixth in the Serie A standings on Sunday, but victory over relegated Parma on Monday would lift them back above Genoa into fifth and all but secure them a place in the Europa League again next season.

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