Panucci quits Palermo

CHRISTIAN PANUCCI resigned as director of sports of Serie A side Palermo yesterday, just over a month after he took the job.

Allegedly, the 38-yearold former Italian international defender’s resignation came about because of a misunderstanding over comments made by volatile president Maurizio Zamparini which had been misconstrued by the media.

The Press had reported that in an interview with a Palermo radio station that Zamparini had said he was looking to recruit a sporting director for next season when in fact he had said he was looking to hire a vice-president.

“We are bitter over this action,” the club said in a statement.

“We would like to thank Panucci for the work he has done during this short period of time.

“This resignation comes after a misunderstanding over comments made by the president which were reported in an incorrect fashion by the Press.”

However, later Zamparini — who has earned the nickname “the coach eater” as he has gone through 45 coaches as president of Venice (1987-2002) and from 2002 Palermo — said Panucci had over reacted in resigning.

“For me, Panucci remains a good person. But he has to change the way he reacts to things,” said Zamperini.

“He got upset over my comments on the arrival of Giorgio Perinetti (the vice-president), alongside whom he could have made progress.

“There was no incompatibility, but he (Panucci) wanted to do everything on his own.

“I wrote to him telling him that a sporting director must behave differently, staying in the shadows in order to obtain results.

He replied by resigning.” Panucci, who had a distinguished playing career winning the Champions League twice with AC Milan and Real Madrid, had been working as a pundit for Sky Sport prior to being hired by Zamparini on March 19.

Palermo are presently 11th in Serie A but just six points above the final relegation place with five matches remaining.