Roberto d’Aversa had an illustrious playing career. The Italian played for the likes of AC Milan, Monza, Sampdoria, Pescara, and Siena, to mention but a few. He just didn’t have an illustrious playing career; he also had enviable longevity playing the game in a career that spanned almost two decades, from 1994 to 2013.
After a respected playing career, Roberto d’Aversa transitioned into management, securing several noteworthy positions in Italy’s football scene. However, his reputation took a hit when he was dismissed from Lecce for violent misconduct during a Serie A game against Verona.
Roberto d’Aversa sacked by Serie A team Lecce
Football is an emotional game, and anyone can easily get carried away. Yesterday, Roberto d’Aversa let his emotions get the best of him in Lecce’s 1-0 loss to Verona in the Serie A. The Lecce manager went straight to Verona’s striker to headbutt him in the shoulder area, causing the player and the manager to be given a red card.
This was an unfortunate incident, as the loss put Lecce in the danger zone, one point above the relegation zone, which must have contributed to the manager’s actions. Although he publicly apologized after the game in his conference, this didn’t stop Lecce from sacking him after releasing their own statement condemning his actions.
“I was wrong, and I apologize. I got carried away and lost lucidity, but not to the point of hitting another person,” the coach said on his Instagram account. “Once again, I apologize to Henry, to the Lecce, Verona, and Italian fans, to the referees, to the two clubs, to my management, my staff, and my team,” he added.
“After the events that occurred at the end of the Lecce-Verona match, US Lecce announces that it has relieved coach Roberto D’Aversa of his duties,” the club confirmed in a statement this morning. “Thanks go to the coach and his staff for the work done,” it concluded.
Roberto d’Aversa head-butt draws hilarious reactions from fans
The incident involving Roberto d’Aversa and Henry left many people bemused. Once the video went viral, it almost immediately sealed the manager’s fate, leaving many to believe he would be sacked. Fans immediately took to social media to express their thoughts on the matter, with many comparing the former AC Milan player to Zinedine Zidane‘s infamous headbutt in the 2006 World Cup against Italy.
“Zidane is proud,” one fan wrote, referencing the 2006 headbutt incident with Marco Materazzi. Another added, “A WWE manager in football.”
Several other fans shared their thoughts on the incident, with many condemning D’Aversa’s actions. The manager’s backlash may have prompted US Lecce to take serious action against him this morning by showing him the door.
Roberto d’Aversa will now take some time off management, as any job offers are unlikely to arrive until the summer. The club hasn’t confirmed his permanent replacement, which could also be this summer, as they’re about to go for an interim manager until then.
