Football
Ben Gladwell, Italy correspondent 8y

Sinisa Mihajlovic to succeed Giampiero Ventura as Torino manager

Torino have announced the appointment of Sinisa Mihajlovic as their new coach after confirming that Giampiero Ventura is leaving after five years in charge.

Mihajlovic, who last week reached a settlement agreement with AC Milan after being sacked by them in April, has signed a two-year contract with the Granata, who finished 12th in Serie A this season.

"I'd like to thank president Urbano Cairo, sporting director Gianni Petrachi and all of Torino for the faith shown in me," Mihajlovic said on the Serie A club's website. "To be able to work at a club with such a glorious and prestigious history like Toro fills me with a huge amount of pride.

"This is a unique club. Granata fans are known up and down Italy for their passion, for their huge feeling of togetherness with the team and for that strong sense of belongingness to the shirt. These are important values and I see myself in them, and that is another reason why I cannot wait to get started."

Mihajlovic previously coached Bologna, Catania, Fiorentina, Serbia and Sampdoria, having been assistant to Roberto Mancini at Inter Milan between 2006 and 2008.

He was given his big break with Milan a year ago, but was dismissed in April with the Rossoneri lying sixth in Serie A. They ended the season seventh under Mihajlovic's replacement Cristian Brocchi.

Meanwhile, club president Cairo expressed his thanks to Ventura for the job he did in his five years at the helm with a statement on torinofc.it.

"The great results obtained are rich in mutual satisfaction," he said. "It's been a constant rise, made decorated by unforgettable chapters in Torino's recent history such as finishing seventh in Serie A and playing in Europe again after 20 years, and including the first victory by an Italian club in Bilbao.

"These have been five beautiful years and from the president Cairo to the very youngest of our youth team, Torino FC wishes Giampiero Ventura the very best satisfaction and luck that he deserves in the continuation of his career."

That is likely to be as coach of the Italy national team, although the president of the Italian FA Carlo Tavecchio said that Ventura is one of four or five candidates to succeed Antonio Conte once he leaves his role after Euro 2016.

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