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    Cesare Prandelli Resigns as Valencia Manager: Latest Comments and Reaction

    Gianni Verschueren@ReverschPassX.com LogoFeatured ColumnistDecember 30, 2016

    VALENCIA, SPAIN - DECEMBER 21: Valencia CF manager Cesare Prandelli gives instructions during the Copa del Rey Round of 16 match between Valencia CF and CD Leganes at Estadio Mestalla on December 21, 2016 in Valencia, Spain. (Photo by Manuel Queimadelos Alonso/Getty Images)
    Manuel Queimadelos Alonso/Getty Images

    Cesare Prandelli has resigned as Valencia manager, becoming the latest in a long line of coaches who failed to turn around the fortunes of the iconic Spanish club.

    Los Che released an official statement on Friday announcing the news:

    Cesare Prandelli has communicated to Valencia Club de Futbol his irrevocable decision to resign from his position as coach, as of Friday, December 30th. ‘Voro’ Gonzalez will take over in charge of the first team squad. Valencia CF director Anil Murthy and sporting director Jesus García Pitarch will hold a press conference at the Ciudad Deportiva on Saturday, December 31st, at 10 a.m.

    Sky Sports' Guillem Balague took a closer look at the motivation behind the Italian's decision:

    Guillem Balague @GuillemBalague

    Prandelli put club in a corner. Either they got 4 players by his chosen deadline or he went. Blackmail? Search 4 authority? Protect himself?

    Guillem Balague @GuillemBalague

    So Prandelli decided enough was enough... Italian coach felt his authority was diminished and has resigned #whatNow

    Prandelli took charge of Valencia in September, becoming the 10th man to coach the Andalusian club since Unai Emery's departure in 2012. Only one of his predecessors lasted more than a year in charge of the squad.

    Valencia have struggled for years, failing to reach the lofty expectations that usually come with the club. Los Che traditionally challenge for one of La Liga's UEFA Champions League spots every year, but the side has fallen on hard times since Peter Lim became a majority owner of the club in 2014.

    LEGANES, SPAIN - NOVEMBER 29: Cesare Prandelli manager of Valencia CF looks down before the start of the Copa del Rey Round of 32 match between CD Leganes and Valencia CF at Estadio Municipal de Butarque on November 29, 2016 in Leganes, Spain. (Photo b
    Denis Doyle/Getty Images

    Prandelli couldn't turn the tide, and following the 3-2 loss against Real Sociedad in La Liga on December 10, Valencia sit in 17th place, tied with Sporting Gijon on 12 points.

    Football writer Sid Lowe was one of many shocked at Prandelli's decision:

    Sid Lowe @sidlowe

    Bloody hell. Prandelli resigns at Valencia.

    Cesare Prandelli Resigns as Valencia Manager: Latest Comments and Reaction
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    Sport Witness shared this short video, showing some fans applauding the veteran manager during his departure:

    Sport Witness @Sport_Witness

    Prandelli quite literally waving goodbye to Valencia, met by applause. https://t.co/XRfAr2YUJO

    Prandelli enjoyed a fantastic spell as Fiorentina boss between 2005 and 2010, and he took the job as Italy national team manager upon his departure from Florence. At the time, the Azzurri were in a bit of a slump, but he shocked everyone by guiding the team to the final of UEFA Euro 2012, restoring the side's pride.

    He replaced compatriot Roberto Mancini at Galatasaray in 2012 but was sacked less than half a season into the job, with the Turks disappointing in the Champions League. 

    Prandelli's last outing with Valencia was the Copa del Rey win over Leganes on December 21. He took time off after he was sacked at Galatasaray and could do so again.