Rossi promises change at Fiorentina

New Fiorentina boss Delio Rossi’s first task will be to ‘give the team a soul’ with the Viola languishing 13th in Serie A.

Speaking at his first press conference since his appointment on Monday, the former Lazio and Palermo manager described his plans for the club and paid respect to his sacked predecessor Sinisa Mihajlovic.

“My job is to give this team a soul, which leads to good football. If I don’t achieve that, then there’s no point declaring where I’d like to go with Fiorentina. Objectives must not be declared, but achieved,” Rossi said.

“What’s wrong with Fiorentina? If I knew what was wrong, I’d be a saint … Give me time to work with them and find out,” he said.

“My first thoughts go to the Viola directors, who I thank for giving me the opportunity to train such an important squad. I like intriguing challenges and this is certainly one of them.”

“My second thoughts are for Mihajlovic. I know that aside from being sacked, it is annoying to know you didn’t get a chance to finish your work. He will get back on his feet soon enough.”

With former captain Riccardo Montolivo refusing to sign a new deal, Rossi would appear to have the first problem on his hands, but he said everyone would receive the benefit of the doubt.

“I have read things in the newspapers, but if I based my evaluation on gossip then I wouldn’t be intellectually honest with him. I also do not look at your name, age or number of appearances, as every player starts from scratch with me today. Whoever is up to the job will play,” he said.

Rossi reportedly turned down a number of clubs in the months before accepting the Fiorentina job, including an offer to return to Palermo, who sacked him in February only to rehire him four week later.

Palermo president Maurizio Zamparini said he bore no grudges towards the 51-year-old, instead insisting he would be a great hit at Fiorentina.

“I respect Delio. Fiorentina with Rossi on the bench will have a great championship,” Zamparini.

“He has a lot of charisma as well as love for the players and fans. Wherever he goes he leaves good memories,” he said.