Following Fiorentina’s season-ending victory over Atalanta on Sunday, coach Vincenzo Italiano announced his departure from the Serie A club.

Fiorentina defeated Atalanta 3-2 in their final game of the season, owing to an Andrea Belotti double and a goal by Nicolas Gonzalez, all in the first half, a week after the other clubs’ 2023-34 Serie A seasons ended.

The game was postponed in March because Fiorentina’s general manager Joe Barone was admitted to the hospital with a cardiac collapse, one day before his death.

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“We all took this definitive decision together not so many weeks ago,” Italiano told a press conference.

“I think it’s also right, given all the discussions we’ve had, that you reach a certain point where you have to stop.

“I’m convinced whoever arrives will be able to continue a path that will leave something improved, I hope I have left something to this group, I think they have been three positive years.

“The only regret was not having added (the Europa Conference League) cup, but as (Atalanta manager Gian Piero) Gasperini told me the paths are worthwhile and will be remembered.”

Olympiakos defeated Fiorentina 1-0 after extra time in the final on Wednesday, with a late goal from Ayoub El Kaabi giving the Greek club its first major European prize.

“I would play Olympiakos v Fiorentina again tonight, we were all convinced we could beat them.

“We all believed we could reach the end of the circle but we didn’t succeed,” Italiano added.

“The saddest moment was the loss of our director, the worst moment since I was in football.

“The love we had for him pushed us towards an emotional ending.”

Italiano joined Fiorentina in 2021, leading them to two Europa Conference League finals and the 2022-23 Coppa Italia final, which they lost 2-1 to defending champions Inter Milan.

They finished ninth in Serie A this season and will compete in the Conference League playoffs in the next season.