End of the line for Mancini

Roberto Mancini resigned as coach of struggling Italian Serie A club AC Fiorentina on Friday, saying he feared for his family's safety.

Simple statement
Mancini said he wished to make a simple statement to allow the team to prepare as calmly as possibly ahead of a difficult match on Sunday against AC Chievo Verona, who are enjoying a spectacular first season in Serie A.

'Verbally attacked'
The 37-year-old Mancini said that on returning to Florence late on Thursday night after talks in Rome with club owner Vittorio Cecchi Gori he had been "verbally attacked outside [his] house by five fans who threatened to intensify the aggression". His statement read: "The fear of creating problems for my wife and my three children has led me to believe that my work in Florence cannot continue."

'Great professionalism'
Mancini said the club's fans had been aware for a long time how difficult the situation was at Fiorentina, who are second from bottom of Serie A. "But I hope I have provided a positive contribution, always giving my best," he said. "I want to underline the great professionalism and attachment to the club of my players and all my colleagues despite the daily difficulties having reached the limits of normal endurance."

Loan signings
Mancini, in his first coaching position since ending his playing career, had been frustrated at the cash-strapped club's failure to bring in new signings to strengthen his squad. Ironically, his resignation comes on the day that Brazilian striker Adriano Leite, 19, and Anselmo Robbiati, 32, joined the club on loan from Internazionale FC for the remainder of the season.

Took over from Terim
Mancini, a former UC Sampdoria and S.S. Lazio striker, took over as coach of the Florence club in March after previously working as assistant to current England coach Sven-Göran Eriksson at Lazio. Capped 36 times by Italy, Mancini played briefly for English FA Premiership club Leicester City FC before returning to Italy to take over from Fatih Terim at Fiorentina last season.

Mijatovic concern
Youth team coach Luciano Chiarugi took Friday's training session but there is obviously discontent in the camp. Striker Predrag Mijatovic admitted the financial crisis is taking its toll on the players, telling uefa.com: "The atmosphere amongst the players is as bad as it has been since last summer. That is not because there are bad relationships between the players but because the club is in deep financial crisis." The Yugoslavian will not be following the same path as Mancini, however. "I do not think of leaving Fiorentina," he said. "I am not thinking far ahead. I will stay and play for Fiorentina if they ask me."

Sampdoria sold
Friday's news comes as Mancini's former club Sampdoria were sold by owner Enrico Mantovani to a consortium led by oil tycoon Riccardo Garrone. The move ends the Mantovani family's 22-year control of the Genoa-based club, who currently play in Italy's second division, Serie B. Mancini helped Sampdoria to their first, and only, Italian title in 1991 and helped them reach the European Champions Clubs' Cup final the following year, which they lost to FC Barcelona.