Italian manager Cesare Prandelli has left his role as the manager of Serie A club ACF Fiorentina after offering his resignation letter today, the club confirmed.
“Prandelli offered his resignation on Tuesday,” the club said in a statement. “And with great sadness the club has accepted his decision, acknowledging that the reasons behind this go beyond football.
“Over the past few months, Prandelli has given everything as coach, showing once again the deep bond that links him to Fiorentina and the city of Florence.”
Prandelli expressed his mind in an emotional letter posted on the club’s website after the club confirmed his resignation:
“This is the second time I’ve left Fiorentina. The first time was not my decision, but this time it is. In life, as well as the good times, there are also dark moments which can get on top of you.
“I have been going through a period of profound distress which is preventing me from being who I really am. I began this experience with joy and love, spurred on by the enthusiasm of the new owners. It’s likely that my love for the city, and the memories of the great moments I’ve experienced here, made me blind to the early signs that something wasn’t right inside.
“My decision has been guided by the enormous responsibility I have towards the players, the club and – last but certainly not least – to the Fiorentina fans, for whom I have great respect.
“All players at this level have talent, and when you have talent you are perceptive – I wouldn’t want my distress to be picked up and affect the team’s performances.
“Over the past few months, a dark cloud has developed inside of me, changing the way I see things. I came here to give 100%, but I now feel that this is no longer possible and therefore I have decided to step back for the good of everyone involved.
“I’d like to thank Rocco Commisso and his wonderful family, Joe Barone and Daniele Prade, who have always been right behind the team and me. Most of all, though, I want to thank the people of Florence, who I know will understand.
A dark cloud has developed inside me and this could be the end of my career as a coach.
– Prandelli
“I’m aware that this could be the end of my career as a coach, but I have no regrets and don’t wish to have any. The world I’ve been a part of for my whole life probably isn’t right for me anymore – I no longer see myself in it. I’ve certainly changed, but the world is moving faster than I thought too. That’s why I believe the time has come for me to stop being swept along, stop for a while and rediscover my true self once again.”
Prandelli was hired November last year for a second stint having managed the club between 2005 to 2010 after Giuseppe Iachini and his resignation comes with Fiorentina in 14th place and seven points clear of the relegation zone.
Prandelli, 63, began his coaching career in 1990 as a caretaker manager of Atalanta and spent most of his coaching career in Italy. He also managed outside of Italy with Galatasaray in Turkey, Valencia in Spain and Al-Nasr in UAE and the Italian national team and led them to a second placed finish at Euro 2012 and third placed finish at 2013 Confederations Cup.
Cover Image – Fiorentina official website.
