Fiorentina confident over Prandelli

Prandelli, right, has been linked with both Juventus and Italy [AFP]

Cesare Prandelli’s future as coach of Serie A side Fiorentina looks increasingly doubtful, despite the protestations of club president Diego Della Valle who has insisted Prandelli will remain at the Artemio Franchi.

Fiorentina exited from the European Champions League on Tuesday at the hands of Germany’s Bayern Munich.

Bayern advanced to the quarter-finals on away goals despite Fiorentina’s 3-2 home win levelling the aggregate score at 4-4.

Prandelli has been linked with a move to Juventus after Alberto Zaccheroni’s contract finishes with the Turin-based side. His name has also been suggested as a possible successor to Italian boss Marcello Lippi.

“I don’t see a problem regarding Prandelli,” Della Valle told Italy’s Corriere dello Sport.

“He has one year left on his contract and I see no reason why he should leave, we are very happy with him.”

New places

Prandelli has long been touted in the media as a successor to Lippi, who has yet to declare his intentions after June’s World Cup, while Zaccheroni’s contract runs only until the end of the season.

Fiorentina are currently sitting 11th in the Italian league, 11 points behind fourth-place Palermo, in the race to claim the final Champions League qualifying spot.

Despite a relatively successful European campaign, missing out on future Champions League action could lead Prandelli to reassess his options.

Fiorentina’s exit from the Champions League also raises the possibility of Italy losing their fourth Champions League qualifying spot to Germany from 2011 depending on results in the rest of the competition.

If Lippi steps down from Italy after the World Cup in South Africa, former Roma and Parma coach Prandelli is one of the favourites to take over given Carlo Ancelotti and Roberto Mancini are in their first seasons at Chelsea and Manchester City.