Montella takes over at Sampdoria
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Sampdoria have confirmed ex-Fiorentina handler Vincenzo Montella as their new coach, as a replacement to Walter Zenga following his sacking last week.
Montella, who left Fiorentina under a cloud at the end of last season, has joined the Serie A club on a two and a half year contract after days of negotiations to resolve a compensation package were finally ironed out.
A Sampdoria statement began by saying: "Vincenzo Montella is one of us." It added: "President Massimo Ferrero and all of Sampdoria are happy to announce that Vincenzo Montella is officially the new coach of the Blucerchiati. Montella's deal will see him at the club until June 30, 2018. His assistant will be Daniele Russo."
Sampdoria sacked Zenga last week after a 2-0 home defeat to Fiorentina dropped them to 10th place in Serie A, 11 points behind leaders Fiorentina.
Montella, a former star of Roma when the Giallorossi won the second of their two league titles in 2001 became an immediate target for Sampdoria's flamboyant film producer president Ferrero.
Talks between the clubs initially stalled because Montella, who left Fiorentina following a disagreement with the club's president and billionaire businessman Andrea Della Valle, still has a contract with the Florence-based club.