5 Managers Sacked for Reasons Beyond Football After Lecce Fired D’Aversa for Headbutting Player

• Lecce have sacked manager Roberto D’Aversa for headbutting an opposing player
• The manager was involved in an incident with Torino striker, Thomas Henry
• He leaves the club in 15th position in Serie A, a point above the relegation zone

Italian club US Lecce have sacked manager Roberto D’Aversa after he headbutted Torino striker, Thomas Henry, following his team's 1-0 home defeat.

D’Aversa leaves the team 15th on the Serie A table with 25 points, one point above the relegation zone after winning five games from 28 games so far in the season.

Sports Brief looks at five other managers sacked for flimsy reasons, some of which came back to haunt them.

Managers sacked for off-pitch reasons

1. Thomas Tuchel

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Todd Boehly relieved the German manager of his duties after their 1-0 loss to Dinamo Zagreb in the UEFA Champions League. The American billionaire claimed the action was not linked to results. Per Bild, his former wife Sissi claimed it was due to off-field reasons which made players lose respect for him, but it was never fully disclosed due to a court injunction.

2. Julian Nagelsmann

Bayern Munich sacked Julian Nagelsmann for different reasons, mostly around his relationship with the board and his private life with former Bild journalist Lena Wurzenberger, per Goal. He also had clashes with senior players, particularly Manuel Neuer, while the club questioned some of the 35-year-old's personal lifestyle and labelled them youthful exuberance.

3. Ernesto Valverde

Per Sky Sports, Valverde was sacked at Barcelona primarily because he was drifting the club away from their famous tiki-taka style pronounced under Pep Guardiola. The team have yet to achieve significant success since he was sacked until Xavi won the title last season, and neither have they played the tiki-taka.

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4. Carlo Ancelotti

Ancelotti was one of Chelsea's former managers the fans wished Roman Abramovich had not sacked in haste. He won the title in his first season and finished second in the second, yet he was fired. Per BR Football, his treatment of £50 million Fernando Torres angered the Russian billionaire.

5. Antonio Conte

The Italian last managed Tottenham before he was relieved of his duties in March 2023. The Italian wasn't sacked for results, as he left the club in fourth place. He went on an explosive outburst criticising the club, board and players after a 3-3 draw against Southampton. This led to his departure on mutual consent. His words, not results, got him fired.

Four clubs Tuchel could join after Bayern

Sports Brief analysed four clubs Tuchel could join when he leaves Bayern Munich in the summer, with an agreement already reached over his departure.

He is on the radar of Barcelona and Liverpool, whose managers, Xavi Hernandez and Jurgen Klopp, will leave at the end of the season. He is reportedly open to former club Chelsea.