Palermo president Maurizio Zamparini has said coach Delio Rossi will stay next season, as long as the pair can iron out their differences. Zamparini sacked Rossi after 18 successful months in the job at the end of February, only to reinstate him five weeks later.
After a great start to the season that had Palermo challenging for a top four place, the Serie A club lost their way in February and Rossi was dismissed following a 7-0 mauling at home to Udinese.
However, Rossi's replacement Serse Cosmi lasted only four matches, losing three of those, and was dismissed following a 4-0 loss at Catania in the Sicilian derby. Rossi is back, but his future is believed to be uncertain with Zamparini unhappy with the team's defence.
Following a 4-2 defeat at home by Fiorentina in February, Zamparini complained publicly that Rossi doesn't know how to set up a team's backline. And, last month he reiterated that they hadn't straightened out their differences.
It's obvious that this year we weren't in harmony, but if we find that harmony I want to keep him.
Maurizio Zamparini, Palermo president
"It's obvious that this year we weren't in harmony, but if we find that harmony I want to keep him," said Zamparini, who has gone through 18 coaching changes in his nine years as the club president.
"Many names are being talked about, journalists are having fun writing many things. Rossi is a free coach, but I think he's 90 per cent available to stay at Palermo."
Zamparini cut short a question about Rossi's future being tied to success in the Italian Cup, although he seemed to assume that was a done deal. Palermo drew 2-2 away to AC Milan in their semi-final first leg and have the home match to come next week with Inter Milan or Roma awaiting in the final.
"We'll be in the Italian Cup final. Milan are convinced they will get through, but we'll be playing at home so we'll win," said Zamparini.
As for the future of South American starlets Javier Pastore and Abel Hernandez, Zamparini denied they will be sold to Roma. "Do you think I'm going to swap them for [Francesco] Totti who's 39 (he is actually 34)," said Zamparini. "We're building our team around young players."