Fiorentina manager Delio Rossi has been sacked for physically attacking Serbian forward Adem Ljajic.

The incident occurred during tonight's 2-2 draw with Novara, when the striker reacted angrily to his first-half substitution.

Ljajic appeared to give Rossi a sarcastic thumbs up as he approached the dugout with his side trailing 2-0. His coach responded by storming over and slapping him across the face.

Rossi appeared to be lining up a punch before his assistants intervened and dragged him away.

Fiorentina president Andrea Della Valle announced the coach's dismissal immediately after the game.

"This was a serious act from a mild-mannered man. We have sacked Rossi. We will say more tomorrow," he said. "The decision to fire Rossi was taken for his own good. He was ready to apologise. Ljajic will also be punished"

Della Valle must now name a successor with his side not yet mathematically safe from relegation.