Giampiero Ventura says he hopes his departure from Bari keeps the club in Serie A.

Ventura was replaced by Bortolo Mutti last week.

"Bari were not the ones to make the decision," he told Radio Sportiva.

"I made the choice and I did it because I hoped it would help the team, the club and the whole city.

"President Vincenzo Matarrese reiterated his desire to keep me at Bari, but I think I made the right decision."