Sinisa Mihajlovic confirms Sampdoria exit

Sinisa Mihajlovic has confirmed that he has left his position as Sampdoria coach.

The 46-year-old Serbian exits the Serie A club following an 18-month spell at the Stadio Luigi Ferraris.

Mihajlovic, who has been tipped to take over from Rafael Benitez at Napoli, guided Sampdoria to a seventh-placed finish in the table this season.

The team still has a chance of qualifying for the Europa League, though their hopes depend on the outcome of sixth-placed Genoa's appeal for a UEFA licence.

"Dear fans of Sampdoria, I come to you at a most difficult time, having to say goodbye," Mihajlovic wrote in an open letter. "On November 21, 2013, I took over a team in a very difficult situation, low in the table, discouraged, and in crisis. I leave now with the team seventh, after having been third at the end of the first round of fixtures.

"I don't know if you will go into the Europe League, it depends on official documents. But, beyond the ranking, I am most proud of something else: to leave a team that today is self-confident, courageous, and able to face every opponent head on."

Mihajlovic retired from playing in 2006 following spells with Roma, Lazio, Sampdoria and Inter Milan.