Lecce president on Robert D’Aversa’s sacking after headbutt: “The decision was necessary but painful”

Lecce president Sticchi Damiani has revealed that the decision to sack manager Roberto D’Aversa recently was a ‘painful’ one but it was a necessary one.

D’Aversa was sacked by Lecce earlier this week after he had headbutted Verona’s Thomas Henry in the Gialloblu’s 1-0 win. Lecce had revealed in a statement that they were not happy with the actions of the manager and a day later, he was axed by the club.

Lecce president Damiani recently spoke to La Gazzetta dello Sport and he was asked about D’Aversa’s exit and why it happened. He stated that the decision was painful but it had to be done, because it didn’t meet the club’s ethics and values.

“It was a decision that was necessary but painful on a human level. The club, however, has precise codes of conduct and carries forward values ​​that required the choice of exemption. We took a few extra hours because we wanted to make a decision after an exhaustive and timely reconstruction of the facts and not based on gut feelings.”

Damiani has also revealed that D’Aversa had a clean discipline track record before the incident, stating that it is a ‘blackout’ which is rather unfortunate.

“It’s unfortunate on a human level, when you’re under pressure a blackout can happen, you’re also paying a high price such as dismissal, but it’s not right that this translates into a judgment on man. D’Aversa is a serious and prepared professional. And he had never done anything wrong in recent months.” 

Luca Gotti is now in-charge of Lecce for the rest of the season, as they look to avoid relegation.

Kaustubh Pandey | GIFN