Cruciani, who coached the Bangladesh national team for just over one year, took charge on February 15 and led Abahani in eight matches in the ongoing professional football league.

However, his name was erased from the starting list of the sky-blues yesterday's B. League game against Arambagh, which Abahani played under their good old coach Amlesh Sen.

"Shortly after his arrival, Cruciani put pressure on us, threatening to leave because of the crowd pressure. He was irritated by the fans' behaviour at training ground and at the match venues. Finally, he asked for full time security," said Abahani manager Satyajit Das Rupu after Abahani's 2-0 win over Arambagh.

"We did not find any reason to provide him such security because the fans were never threatening. After our loss to Khulna Abahani, the club management thought it was the right time for him to go," he added.

Sources said that Cruciani was actually sacked due to the team's worrying performance despite

having the strongest team on paper but Rupu denied the allegation.

"Performance was not the factor. We have been among the top teams throughout the league and still are on top. So we cannot blame him for poor performance. But it is true that we are not happy with the performance of two players he had brought."

He also refuted the claim that Cruciani was bothered by chaos during training.

"Yes, there was a problem with a fan with Ibrahim but that day, neither Cruciani nor any of the Argentine players were present."

Rupu informed that Abahani have decided to release Argentines Hector Parodi and Mariano Sanchez after the first leg but are keen to hold on to their compatriot defender Mariano Caporale.

Parodi was billed to solve scoring problems but the striker has scored just one goal so far while young midfielder Sanchez has also found the net once.

"All three players are contracted till the end of the first leg (May 16). We have decided to let go the two because they have failed to impress. We want to extend the contract with Caporale but he has yet to decide," he said ruling out the chance of appointing a foreign coach but said Abahani will fill in the gaps with foreign players.

"I hope Caporale would stay," he said about the centre-back, who has been outstanding throughout.

The Abahani management has paid Cruciani his dues and the 43-year-old Argentine is expected to leave on May 10.