Football
Ben Gladwell, Italy correspondent 8y

Sampdoria sack coach Walter Zenga; Fiorentina's Vincenzo Montella a target

Sampdoria coach Walter Zenga has been relieved of his duties as the Genoa club work on reaching an agreement with Fiorentina for Vincenzo Montella to take over.

Zenga's first stint as a Serie A coach has ended after just four months, with the Blucerchiati drawing a line after Sunday's 2-0 defeat at home to Fiorentina left them in 10 place on 16 points, with only one coming from their last seven games.

"U.C. Sampdoria announces that Mr Walter Zenga has been relieved of his duties as manager of the first team," read a statement on Sampdoria's official website. "President Massimo Ferrero and the club regret that a professional relationship has come to an early end and wish Walter Zenga every success in his future career."

Zenga learnt of the club's decision while on a trip to Dubai, where he was taking a few days to be with his family during the international break.

Reports in Italy say his decision to go through with the trip, in spite of Sunday's defeat, only hastened a departure which was on the cards already just weeks after he had been handed the reins.

A 4-0 defeat at home to Vojvodina in the third qualifying round of the Europa League led to speculation that Zenga may be fired after just one match in charge.

He survived as his side responded with a 2-0 win in the return leg -- still exiting the competition in the process -- and they picked up seven points from their first three Serie A fixtures of the season to lift the threat of an early sacking.

But with just one win in their last seven games, that nevertheless came on Tuesday, with club president Ferrero reportedly in Florence already discussing terms with Montella and Fiorentina, to who the out-of-work coach is still contracted.

According to Mediaset television, the Viola may forego the reported €5 million release clause stipulated in the 41-year-old's contract if they are given a discount to sign Roberto Soriano -- either this winter or next summer -- in return.

Ferrero is due to continue those negotiations on Tuesday afternoon with a little more urgency having now sanctioned the sacking of Zenga.

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