Simoni sacked by promoted Ancona
Monday, June 23, 2003
Article summary
Luigi Simoni has been sacked by Ancona Calcio despite leading the club into the Italian top flight.
Article body
Veteran coach Luigi Simoni has been sacked by Ancona Calcio despite leading the club into the Italian top flight via a fourth-placed finish in Serie B.
'Really disappointed'
The 64-year-old arrived at the Del Conero stadium eleven months ago, and subsequently achieved his seventh promotion from Serie B to Serie A. His sacking came as a shock, particularly to him. "I'm really disappointed, especially as the president did not talk with me first to communicate the news," said Simoni, a former coach of Internazionale FC.
'Wonderful time'
"In my opinion this decision is strange. We had just won promotion and I had a contract for another year so it seemed certain I would stay for another year in a town that I really like. However, I'm grateful to the president for giving me a chance to coach this team for eleven months. I had a wonderful time," Simoni added.
Major trophy
Simoni joined Ancona at the beginning of last season after a spell in Bulgaria with PFC CSKA Sofia. In Italy he counts Napoli SSC and Torino Calcio among others as his former clubs and he was also the last man to lead Inter to a major trophy, the UEFA Cup in 1997/98. Another veteran, the 66-year-old Carlo Mazzone, has been tipped for the role after parting company with Brescia Calcio.
