MILAN (Reuters), a group of Telecom Italia (MI.) (TIM). Directors, which included top investors Vivendi, (OTC) and Vivendi’s representatives, asked the chairman of the group to summon a special board meeting in order to appoint a replacement chief executive. Two sources close to this matter confirmed that they had done so.

The former telephone monopoly was hit by a series of profit warnings in the last year. Luigi Gubitosi, who was in charge for six years, resigned in November after being offered a takeover by KKR, which is worth 33 billion euros ($37 billion).

Since then the chief executive powers of TIM Brasil have been split among Pietro Labriola who is now general manager, as well as Salvatore Rossi (TIM Chairman).

An ordinary board meeting of the group is set for January 26,

According to sources, Labriola is a strong candidate for the position of CEO.

French company, controlling 23.8% in TIM, vehemently rejected the KKR offer.

One power struggle in TIM has delayed the group’s response to KKR. KKR asked for access to data about company before making a formal bidding.

Labriola, a seasoned TIM executive has been assigned to create a new, three-year business plan that will revamp TIM independently. Sources have indicated that this strategy may include a spin-off its valued fixed network infrastructure.

Telecom Italia declined to comment.

($1 = 0.8804 euros)