Palermo dismissed Cosmi after yesterday's 4-0 defeat at Catania and re-installed Delio Rossi as coach with seven Serie A games remaining.

"I am truly and profoundly bitter," Cosmi said to Gazzetta dello Sport. "I am so disappointed that I don't feel like talking about it.

"At this time I can only thank all the people I have known in my brief spell in Sicily."

Cosmi lost his first two games in charge but steered the team to a 1-0 victory over Serie A leaders AC Milan before the international break.

Sunday's heavy defeat in the Sicilian derby left Palermo in eighth place, seven points behind Roma, who hold the last European qualifying spot.

"To the Palermo fans, I can only say how sorry I am for the defeat at Catania," he said. "I am in pain and I understand their disappointment."