Rome  - Former Argentine striker Abel Balbo Wednesday walked out on Treviso just minutes after starting his first coaching session with the Serie B minnows, Italian media reported.

The club from north-eastern Italy lie last in the league and hired Balbo, 42, on Tuesday to replace Luca Gotti on Tuesday. The players however refused to train on Tuesday saying that they wouldn't train due to the absence of the team doctor.

The team showed up Wednesday, but Balbo left the pitch shortly after the start of the training session.

It appears that the team opposed the firing of Gotti, whom they had backed already when the club tried to fire him in late January.

"I was coach of this team for a few minutes," Balbo said. "I made a fool of myself and I risk the reputation that I built in years of an honoured career."

The former international striker played in Italy from 1989 to 2002 with Udinese, Roma, Parma and Fiorentina. He played three World Cup competitions with Argentina, winning the title in 1990. (dpa)