Lecce sack manager D'Aversa over headbutting incident

Lecce fired manager Roberto D'Aversa after he headbutted an opposing player at the weekend's loss to Hellas Verona, the Serie A club announced on Monday.

D'Aversa headbutted Verona striker Thomas Henry following their 1-0 home defeat on Sunday, and the club issued a statement later that day condemning the incident. The 48-year-old has now been fired.

"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," the club said in a statement.

D'Aversa and Henry were both shown the red card, and the manager, who joined Lecce in June 2023, later apologised, claiming that his players had been repeatedly provoked near the end.

Lecce have won five of their 28 league games this season, putting them in 15th place with 25 points, one point above the relegation zone, while Verona have surpassed them with a win, moving to 13th with 26 points.

SportsLigue