ACF Fiorentina have today confirmed that manager Vincenzo Montella will be leaving the club. The reason behind Montella's shock departure remains unclear, but Fiorentina are to announce their new manager in due course.

A number of Montella's backroom staff have also left the club, with assistant manager Daniele Russo also leaving Fiorentina. Daniele Prade left his role as Director of Football, and Head of Youth Development Eduardo Macia decided to depart from his role at the Florence-based side.

Manuel Pasqual, current captain of the Italian side, along with Mario Gomez, will take temporary charge of the first team until a new manager is found. Fiorentina's first game of the Serie A season begins with an away trip to Cesena.

The club's chairman, Mario Cognigni, refused to comment on Montella's depature but did confirm that the next manager of the club will be an Englishman. The current SkyBet favourite for the job is former QPR manager Harry Redknapp, who is currently recovering from surgery.

Hmm, an Englishman? My bet is some unknown guy. Redknapp is to mainstream
Good start, and good luck

In a shock appointment, unknown English manager Ryan Payne has been appointed manager of Serie A side ACF Fiorentina. The Englishman takes over from Vincenzo Montella who left the club mysteriously earlier this month.

The appointment of Payne has shocked Fiorentina fans everywhere as they believed there were better suited candidates for the job. The bookies favourites included Harry Redknapp and Eddie Howe. The appointment of an English manager does not come as a shock as Fiorentina chairman Mario Cognigni expressed his intention of hiring a manager from England.

The club's representatives claimed that Payne was the best candidate for the role, saying that out of all the applicants, it was Payne that seemed most worthy for the hot seat. Micah Richards, currently on loan at Fiorentina from Manchester City, welcomed the new manager and insisted that Ryan Payne would help lead the club onto great things.

"I'm delighted to be here" were Payne's opening words to the media at his first press conference. With the Englishman unable to speak Italian, a translator was on hand to help the new manager out as he begins life at the helm of one of Italy's biggest clubs.

Ohhh what a guess - an unknown English guy!!

Gripping... mysterious... who could it be? good luck!

Good luck!

Good start. Glad Harry Redknapp was just a red herring. Imagine having to see his face on nearly every update...

@RoyRace - I'm not a fan of using real managers in my saves. I much prefer it when I do the winning!

Very nice start to your story, good luck with Fiorentina