Udinese sports chief Pietro Leonardi is unhappy with rumours linking Parma coach Francesco Guidolin with the club.

Guidolin has been mentioned as a replacement for Pasquale Marino, who is leaving Udinese at the end of the season.

Leonardi said: "Three weeks ago we had a meeting with Guidolin and we all agreed to continue together. For me it was all good but then something suddenly changed.

"I am constantly reading about problems between the Coach and myself. I can assure you that we have never argued.

"I always stood by him and never asked for him to be fired. I always defended him. If we wanted to sign Pasquale Marino we would have fired Guidolin already.

"Now I am not debating professional choices but our will was to keep him. It is disgusting to spread rumours saying that we wanted to get rid of him.

"People come and go but now I find myself in a dubious situation. Now I want to see all the ones who said Marino agreed a contract with us."