Prandelli future uncertain following Fiorentina exit
Reuters - Wednesday 10 March 2010, 10:10
FLORENCE - Cesare Prandelli's
future as Fiorentina coach looks increasingly uncertain
following their Champions League exit on Tuesday, with Juventus
and Italy regarded as his two most likely destinations.
Germany's Bayern Munich advanced to the quarter-finals on
away goals after Fiorentina's 3-2 home win levelled the
aggregate score at 4-4. The Italians were unfortunate to lose
the first leg 2-1 as the winning goal was scored from an
offside position.
NEWS: Robben rocket sends Bayern through
Prandelli has long been touted in the media as a successor
to Italy coach Marcello Lippi, who has yet to declare his
intentions after June's World Cup, while Juve coach Alberto
Zaccheroni's contract runs only until the end of the season.
"Prandelli is our coach. He is great, he has another year
on his contract and if contracts are worth anything there won't
be a problem," Fiorentina owner Diego Della Valle told
reporters.
However, the likelihood of Fiorentina being absent from the
Champions League in the foreseeable future could lead Prandell,
at Fiorentina since 2005, to assess his options.
While the Florence club have enjoyed a relatively
successful European campaign, beating Liverpool twice in the
group stage, they have slipped to 10th in Serie A.
Their defeat on Tuesday also raises the possibility of
Italy losing their fourth Champions League qualifying spot to
Germany from 2011 depending on results in the rest of the
competition.
If Lippi steps down from Italy after South Africa, former
Roma and Parma coach Prandelli looks one of the few candidates
to take over given Carlo Ancelotti and Roberto Mancini are in
their first seasons at Chelsea and Manchester City.
Juve's Zaccheroni replaced the sacked Ciro Ferrara in
January but the fans have failed to warm to the ex-Inter Milan,
AC Milan and Torino coach despite a slight pick up in form.