Sinisa Mihajlovic has confirmed his departure from Sampdoria following the final game of the Serie A season, paving the way for a potential move to Napoli.
The Serb, head coach at Stadio Luigi Ferraris since November 2013, guided Sampdoria to a seventh-place finish this term, with their European qualification dependant on the outcome of sixth-placed Genoa s appeal for a UEFA licence.
Mihajlovic has been heavily linked with a move to Napoli, who played their final game under Rafael Benitez on Sunday, and announced his exit in an open letter on Sampdoria s website.
These are my last words as coach of Sampdoria, he wrote.
On 21 November 2013, I took a team in a very difficult situation, bottom of the table, discouraged [and] in crisis. I leave you seventh and, if it goes well, in the Europa League.
But, beyond the rank, I am proud of another thing: to leave a team that today is self-confident, courageous, able to face head-on each opponent.
Those who come after me will find a team that knows the meaning of commitment, professionalism, hard work and give their best in training and in matches.
That is the best legacy I can leave. I am proud of the work done in these two years and I believe the club and the fans should also be.
It would be easy to stay here: I know I m appreciated by the club and fans. But I think it would be unfair to my growth and perhaps also for the team.
I set myself a goal, and I achieved it. Now I look for another challenge.
