Headbutts can hurt the aggressor just as much as the receiver. Italian soccer manager Roberto D’Aversa learned this the hard way — he was fired after headbutting an opposing player at the end of a game on Sunday.
D’Aversa coached the Series A club Lecce for less than a year, ending with a 1-0 loss to Hellas Verona. At the end of Sunday’s match, the manager confronted an opposing striker on the pitch and headbutted him.
In a translated statement, Lecce leadership condemned the coach’s actions. “It is contrary to the principles and values of sport,” the team said.
The organization sacked D’Aversa on Monday, less than 24 hours after the incident.
Some social media users poked fun at the manager’s form.
“Bro thinks this is WWE,” one soccer fan posted on X.
Others noted that Lecce has lost four of their past five matches and currently ranks 15th in Series A’s 20-team league. D’Aversa’s headbutt may have sped up an inevitable firing.
“Okay, will a new coach help them to win the league,” another X user said. “It is just an excuse.”
• Liam Griffin can be reached at lgriffin@washingtontimes.com.
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