Fiorentina Coach Vincenzo Montella admits to some ‘bitterness’ as goalkeeper Norberto Neto confirms he will leave the Viola.

Fiorentina Coach Vincenzo Montella admits to some ‘bitterness’ as goalkeeper Norberto Neto confirms he will leave the Viola.

The Brazilian goalkeeper can leave on a free transfer in June when his contract expires, and has already decided that he will not remain at Artemio Franchi.

The shot-stopper has been slammed by Viola fans as reports link him with a move to Liverpool or arch-rivals Juventus, and while Montella defended Neto’s professionalism, the Coach admits there is a bitterness.

“Football never fails to teach you and give you experience,” Montella sighed in his Press conference ahead of tomorrow’s trip to Parma.

“On a personal level there’s a lot of bitterness, but these situations have always existed in football.

“On a professional level I have to make an evaluation without being influenced by the personal and human side.

“I also spoke with the President [Andrea Della Valle] and he’s made no impositions, although he’s bitter.

“But my choices must consider everything around me, and today I have a better idea than yesterday.

“The choice is not final, however to me when a player’s contract is expiring it makes it difficult for and I have to consider the lesser of two evils.

"When you have disputes like this they’re much more readily accepted when its a poor player. I think the choice was made official too soon, now it’s one more problem for the team.

"Will it affect the team? It would be hypocritcal of me to say it won't, but our profession demands that we think about tomorrow's game which is far more important.

“I have no doubts in the professionalism of Neto, but my doubts are more about his mental state.

“Tata [backup goalkeeper Ciprian Tătărușanu] is a great goalkeeper and can easily play.

“These are things that happen in football, and they’ll remain that way even if there’s bitterness.

“There’s no gratitude in football and we shouldn’t expect it. They made their evaluations and obviously wanted something different.
“We spoke a long time ago, and yesterday he reiterated that he’s available and accepts any choice. I reiterated my position, which is that from experience this is not an easy situation.

“Can Tatarusanu play in all three competitions [Serie A, Coppa Italia and Europa League]? Of course, he can do it. We also have [Luca] Lezzerini and [Cristiano] Lupatelli who’s injured.

“However, the easiest thing would be to have another goalkeeper, it would be appropriate to bring another one in.”

Montella also appeared to rule out a return for Adrian Mutu, who reportedly cancelled a trial this morning.

“I’ve always liked him [Mutu] as a player, but we don’t need to bring players in to get them fit for March.

“I haven’t heard anything more from the club, but we’d have to see how he is physically.”

Bygaby

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