Parma coach quits

Ulivieri claims he has not been forced to resign

Parma coach Renzo Ulivieri has resigned on the eve of his side's Uefa Cup game against Dutch club Utrecht.

The former Napoli and Bologna coach gave Parma his decision on Wednesday morning after a long board meeting the previous day.

Ulivieri said: "After I spoke with the board, I reflected for a long time on what we said.

"I advised the club that it was better to change, because the position of coach had become too weak."

Leaving Parma makes me sad - but the club and the public must have faith

Renzo Ulivieri

Wednesday's edition of the Gazzetta Dello Sport newspaper had suggested Ulivieri's fate would be sealed after Parma's next two games.

But Ulivieri claimed he had not been forced out.

He added: "Since I've been with Parma, no one ever forced me to do anything.

"It's just that a situation had developed which I felt was unhelpful for the future of the club.

"This squad is competitive and must set itself ambitious objectives - Parma and the public must have faith.

"Leaving Parma makes me sad. I was very happy here but I would like to thank those who hired me last year, the city and the public."

Parma President Stefano Tanzi said no plans had yet been made to appoint a successor.

Former Italy internationals Carlo Ancelotti - who has managed Parma before - and Marco Tardelli have been linked with the job.

Tanzi said assistant coach Pietro Camignani would take temporary charge of team mattters.