In a surprising turn of events, Lecce coach Roberto D’Aversa was dismissed from his position following an incident involving a player during Sunday's match against Hellas Verona. The altercation occurred at the conclusion of the game, which ended in a 1-0 defeat for Lecce.
Verona striker Thomas Henry was engaged in a heated exchange with Lecce defender Marin Pongracic after the final whistle when D’Aversa intervened. However, the situation escalated quickly, with D’Aversa appearing to head butt Henry in front of a match official.
Lecce promptly released a statement announcing the decision to relieve D’Aversa of his coaching duties, expressing gratitude for his contributions and that of his staff. Despite video replays suggesting a head butt, D’Aversa later denied the action, offering an apology for the incident.
Both D’Aversa and Henry were subsequently shown red cards and sent off the field. The 48-year-old coach, who had previously managed Parma and Sampdoria, had been at the helm of Lecce since June. The team initially showed promise at the start of the season, remaining undefeated in the first five matches. However, Lecce's recent struggles have left them just one point above the relegation zone.
This incident has undoubtedly raised eyebrows in the football community, highlighting the importance of maintaining composure and professionalism on and off the field. As the club seeks to move forward from this episode, the focus now shifts to finding a suitable replacement for D’Aversa to guide Lecce through the remainder of the season.
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