Florence, Italy – Fiorentina has fired manager Delio Rossi for slapping his own player, Adem Ljajic, during a Serie A match.
Ljajic was removed from a 2-2 draw with Novara on Wednesday and gave a thumbs up to Rossi, who made the change 32 minutes into the first half. Rossi was not pleased with the gesture, and fell into the dugout as he slapped the player.
Rossi and Ljajic, who did not appear to strike his manager, were separated by assistants and substitutes. The confrontation was caught on cameras, and later watched by Fiorentina president Andrea Della Valle.
"I took the decision of relieving the manager of his duties, due to the severity of his action," Della Valle told Sky Sports in Italy.
"In a few seconds months of stress came out. I am sorry because the coach has never committed acts of this kind," Della Valle added on the club's website.
The 51-year-old Rossi, who was suspended three months by the Italian football league, only became Fiorentina manager in November.
Vincenzo Guerini will step in for the final two games of the season, and needs to guide the club to at least one point to avoid relegation.
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