Serie A Manager Roberto D'Aversa Fired After Head-Butting Opposing Player in Loss
Mar 11, 2024
LECCE, ITALY - MARCH 10: Roberto D'Aversa, coach US Lecce looks on during the Serie A TIM match between US Lecce and Hellas Verona FC at Stadio Via del Mare on March 10, 2024 in Lecce, Italy.(Photo by Donato Fasano/Getty Images)
Serie A club Lecce sacked manager Roberto D'Aversa one day after a 1-0 loss to Hellas Verona, a match that saw D'Aversa head-butt Verona striker Thomas Henry after full time.
"After the events that took place at the end of the Lecce-Verona match, U.S. Lecce announces that it has relieved coach Roberto D'Aversa of his duties," Lecce said in a statement on Monday (via Reuters).
Upon the conclusion of Sunday's fixture, D'Aversa confronted Henry on the pitch and head-butted the French forward.
Lecce said in the immediate aftermath it "firmly condemn the gesture of its coach, as it is against the principles and values of this sport," per Reuters. In an interview with Sky Sport Italy (via Reuters), D'Aversa apologized but said he felt Verona players had intentionally provocated members of his squad toward the end of the match.
The head-butt precipitated his dismissal, but the managerial change may have been inevitable amid a prolonged slide.
Lecce opened with three wins through its first five Serie A matches, raising early hopes of an unexpectedly strong campaign. But the Giallorossi are 15th in the Serie A table after having registered one win in their last 12 matches.
Only one point separates Lecce from 18th-place Frosinone in the relegation zone. Sunday's defeat could be particularly costly with Verona now one point ahead in 13th.
