Following his headbutt of an opponent during Lecce’s Saturday loss to Hellas Verona, manager Roberto D’Aversa was fired, the Serie A team said on Monday.
Following their 1-0 home loss on Sunday, D’Aversa gave a violent blow to Verona attacker Thomas Henry. The 48-year-old was fired by the club, which issued a statement later that day denouncing the incident.
“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 stated in a statement.
After Henry and D’Aversa were sent off, the manager—who became a Lecce member in June 2023—apologied and said his players had been repeatedly provoked toward the end of the game.
With five victories from their 28 league games this season, Lecce sits in 15th place with 25 points, one spot above the relegation zone. Verona, on the other hand, passed them with their victory and are now in 13th place with 26 points.