Official: Schelotto leaves Palermo

By Football Italia staff

Palermo have officially announced that Guillermo Barros Schelotto has left after UEFA failed to accept his coaching license as valid.

The Argentine was brought in last month to replace Davide Ballardini, but hasn’t been able to take a seat on the bench until paperwork came through.

However, UEFA have told Palermo that Schelotto ‘doesn’t meet the criteria of a minimum of five years’ experience as the head coach of a professional top division club or national A team of a FIFA member association.'

“It’s with deep regret that U.S Città di Palermo must acknowledge the decision of Guillermo Barros Schelotto and his staff to leave the technical guidance of the team, as UEFA haven’t recognised the Coach’s license as valid,” read an official club statement on Palermo’s website.

“Barros Schelotto greeted the team this morning, and they started training without his staff, under the guidance of Giovanni Tedesco.

“The club’s directors are meeting to overcome the current emergency phase.”

The club also attached the statement that UEFA had sent, explaining the reasons behind the decision not to accept Schelotto’s paperwork.

“Referring to the UEFA Coaching Convention (2015 edition, Art. 5/1/e, 6/1/h), the convention party can ask UEFA, at any time, to evaluate and recognise (based on criteria defined by UEFA) a coaching diploma issued by a non-convention party in order to allow its holder to coach on the territory of the convention party concerned,” read the statement.

“The UEFA Jira Panel confirmed the handling of such cases and criteria as follows: a minimum of five years’ experience as the head coach of a professional top division club or national A team of a FIFA member association, plus the highest available coaching qualification of a FIFA member association (compared against UEFA’s minimum criteria). If the outcome is positive, an equivalent work permit can be issued, but no UEFA diploma/licence.

“After a thorough evaluation of the case of Mr. Guillerme Schelotto, the UEFA Jira Panel confirmed that the latter’s diploma is not in line with UEFA’s minimum criteria. Moreover, according to the evidence provided, Mr. Schelotto does not meet the criteria of a minimum of five years’ experience as the head coach of a professional top division club or national A team of a FIFA member association.

“With kind regards, UEFA.”

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