Italy coach association urges Lazio to fire Vladimir Petkovic

Rome, Jan 3 (IANS) The Italy Soccer Coaches Association has urged Lazio to sack Vladimir Petkovic with the purpose to end a shameful farce.

Petkovic, who is to manage Switzerland in July, issued a statement through his lawyer claiming he is still the head coach of Laizo who is now being trained by Edy Reja, Xinhua reported on Friday.

Petkovic said he broke no rules in signing for the Swiss Federation from July, so he has not breached his club contract.

The Italy Soccer Coaches Association supported Petkovic’s claim.

“The procedure should see a coach receive written confirmation he has been fired. So far, Lazio haven’t done that,” President of the Coaches Association Renzo Ulivieri said.

“This is why Petkovic, quite rightly, insists he still assumes himself as the Lazio coach. He is practically fired anyway, as Reja is already training the team, so the only thing missing is the paperwork,” he said.

Lazio hope to either force Petkovic into resigning or prove he was in breach of contract by at first denying he’d signed for Switzerland, thereby saving the remaining six months’ worth of wages.

“Petkovic respected the rules of the rapport between Coach and club,” continued Ulivieri.

“As far as I can see, Petkovic is right. At the same time, Reja is confident of the situation. In order to register Reja, Lazio need to file the paperwork confirming Petkovic has been fired. That is where his certainty lies.”

“Lazio have to complete this paperwork before Monday, otherwise Reja cannot sit on the bench against Inter,” he added.