Fiorentina choose Bianchi

AC Fiorentina have appointed Ottavio Bianchi as their new coach following the resignation of Roberto Mancini last week.

Sporting director
Bianchi had been the Serie A club’s sporting director but was unveiled on Monday afternoon as the replacement for Mancini.  On Sunday, assistant coach Luciano Chiarugi led the team to a 2-2 draw against AC Chievo Verona but club owner Checchi Gori decided to give the permanent role to Bianchi.

Official announcement
The news was announced on the club's official website. It said: "AC Fiorentina announce that Ottavio Bianchi, who is also responsible as sporting director, assumes from today the job of coach of the first-team squad."

Success at Napoli
The former AS Roma coach had his best spell in charge of S.S. Napoli in the mid-1980s when his Diego Maradona-inspired side won the league title and the UEFA Cup. The 58-year-old will have little money to spend at Fiorentina, after last week’s attempted loan move for S.S. Lazio defender Sinisa Mihajlovic collapsed because administrators at the debt-ridden club refused to release the cash.

Lowly position
Fiorentina are just one place off the bottom of the table but Chiarugi was optimistic after the point against newly-promoted Chievo, who are one of Italy’s in-form sides. They were knocked out of the UEFA Cup at the third-round stage by Lille OSC.