WATCH: Serie A manager headbutts opposition striker after losing match, gets sacked the next day 

Roberto D'Aversa apologized for his actions, but it didn't make a difference.

WATCH: Serie A manager headbutts opposition striker after losing match, gets sacked the next day 

Roberto D'Aversa had managed only 5 wins in 28 games in the Serie A this season. (Image via CNN)

On 10th March, Lecce hosted Hellas Verona in the 28th round of the Serie A. Both teams were just points above the relegation zone, and needed a win to get a foot ahead of their rivals in the drop zone. Verona managed to scrap a 0-1 win, with Michael Folorunsho scoring in the 17th minute. 

While Verona got the win, the end of the match saw clashes between the two sides. Things escalated to the point where the confrontation turned physical, and caused a manager to get sacked. 

YouTube video

Lecce manager, Roberto D’Aversa had lost his cool and walked up to Verona striker Thomas Henry. They two exchanged some words and then the manager headbutted Henry. The two were separated and the referee showed the duo red cards for their exchange. 

FS Video

In the post-match interview, D’Aversa apologized for his actions. He claimed he had no intent to headbutt Henry, but was carried away when he faced the striker. The Lecce manager also said he apologized to Verona coaches for his conquest. 

I certainly didn't enter the field to headbutt a player and it was nothing premeditated. Otherwise I would have said so. Looking back at the images they say one thing, I say that they are the consequence of a series of provocations at the end of the match. I've already spoken to the Verona managers. I apologize for the gesture, it's not nice to see.
Roberto D’Aversa to Sky Italia

Unfortunately, that was the last time D’Aversa had ever managed Lecce. The club released a statement, in which they announced that they had sacked the 48-year-old for headbutting Henry. 

After the events that occurred at the end of the Lecce - Verona match, US Lecce announces that it has relieved coach D'Aversa of his duties. Thanks go to the coach and his staff for the work done.
Statement by U.S. Lecce

Lecce are currently 15 in the Serie A, just a point above 18th place Frosinone. Verona were originally two points behind Lecce, but have jumped a point above them, but are still two points away from the drop-zone. 

Serie C had banned manager for headbutting opposition coach 

This isn’t the first time a manager has headbutted an opposition in Italy. Five years ago, Lucchese manager Giancarlo Favarin had headbutted the assistant coach of Alessandria. It occurred in the dying minutes of the match, where the two teams clashed. 

Giancarlo Favarin
Giancarlo Favarin was given a five-match ban after headbutting a rival’s assistant manager (Image via Pulse)

Things got heated, and Favarin decided to headbutt the opposition’s assistant manager. He was also heard instructing his players to break the legs of their opposition. Favarin claimed Gaetano Mancino, the Alessandria coach, had verbally abused him and spat at him, leading to the headbutt. Both were punished by the Italian Football Federation. Favarin was banned for five months, while Mancino was suspended for two matches. 

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