Andrea Della Valle quit as Fiorentina president yesterday and said his family were willing to sell the Serie A club.

His brother Diego Della Valle owns Fiorentina, having re-formed the Florence club in 2002 after a bankruptcy under previous management.

"If there is someone else more suited to taking this project on, they should come forward now and if there are necessary guarantees, we are ready to put the club in his hands, if this is what is needed," Andrea said in a resignation letter.

Vice-president Mario Cognigni will take temporary charge.

The announcement was widely expected but Della Valle was coy about the reasons for his departure.

"For some months I have strongly warned that there was no longer the necessary harmony regarding our project," he said.

Reports said he was unhappy with the attitude of some supporters, who were upset by the sale of Brazil midfielder Felipe Melo to Juventus in the transfer window.

Media speculation has also blamed his wish to spend more time in the family's luxury goods business, including Tod's.

The Della Valles have dragged Fiorentina back up the Italian league after they were forced to re-form in the fourth tier.

Just two years later Fiorentina returned to Serie A and although involved in the 2006 Italian match-fixing scandal, the club have thrived and are again in the Champions League.

Despite the upheaval, Fior-entina are committed to funding a new stadium after talks with the Florence council.

The "Cittadella Viola" plan envisages not just a new stadium but an area of the city devoted to the club.

Like most Italian sides, Fiorentina rent the ageing Stadio Franchi from the city.

"We would like to make clear to everyone that the Cittadella Viola is not a present from the City of Florence to Fiorentina," a statement said.