Vincenzo Montella will “meet with the club” to discuss his future, but is prepared to “go up against an entire city” of Fiorentina fans.

The game with Parma kicks off on Monday at 18.00 UK time (17.00 GMT), click here for a match preview.

All focus was on the Europa League semi-final exit to Sevilla, 5-0 on aggregate, which could well prompt a radical revamp in Florence.

Vincenzo Montella will “meet with the club” to discuss his future, but is prepared to “go up against an entire city” of Fiorentina fans.

The game with Parma kicks off on Monday at 18.00 UK time (17.00 GMT), click here for a match preview.

All focus was on the Europa League semi-final exit to Sevilla, 5-0 on aggregate, which could well prompt a radical revamp in Florence.

“I think this team does not deserve to be derided,” said Montella in today’s Press conference.

“They can be jeered and insulted, but I will defend this group. My lads deserve to be defended and I am prepared to go up against an entire city if needed.”

There was an odd atmosphere towards the end of the 2-0 home defeat by Sevilla, as when Josip Ilicic missed a penalty, many in the crowd stood up and cheered sarcastically.

“The thing that most irritated me was seeing us derided by the fans and this really hurt the squad. The fans in Florence have accompanied us for three years and it would be counter-productive to hurt ourselves this way.

“Since I started in football I have never seen something like that for a team that achieved these results. They started applauding whenever there was possession and there was even a Mexican Wave on the missed penalty.

“The fans and media tell us we got it wrong, so we can say somebody in that stadium had the wrong attitude.

“If a son tries to do something that is beyond him and fails, you don’t make fun of him. I hope tomorrow the fans will support us.

“Like it or not, this is Fiorentina’s status. The Presidents have no debts and in future this will be an advantage, but for the moment we have to work within those parameters.

“At the end of the season we’ll meet up and work out what objectives this club wants to achieve. That’s not the priority right now.”

The Coach was asked whether this meant there was truth in reports he was ready to join Milan.

“I have been perfectly honest and fair. I haven’t met with any Presidents. Last year I could’ve met a President of a big club, but I decided to stay in Florence.

“If I want to leave, I will tell the directors first. I have the utmost respect for the club and don’t want to break off a rapport with anyone.

“What did I tell the club? It’s private. I just want to focus on tomorrow’s game against a Parma side that showed everyone what dignity really means. I would give Roberto Donadoni the award for Coach of the Year.”

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