Life comes at you fast
Salternitana boss David Nicola has been sensationally rehired just two days after he was sacked by the Serie A club.
Nicola was relieved of his duties on Monday after an 8-2 hammering against Atalanta but, after speaking to the club’s owners, persuaded them to reinstate him as their boss.
The Italian top flight side have been struggling for form and are 16th in the table with 18 points from 18 games and their thrashing against Atalanta was their fourth defeat from five games.
After the departure of Nicola, Salternitana began negotiating with potential successors, which included: Roberto D’Aversa, Rafa Benitez and Leonardo Semplici, but were unable to strike a deal.
Danilo Iervolino, the club’s president, then decided to eat humble pie and ring Nicola and offer him his job back. The 49-year-old explained what had happened in a statement on social media.
He said: “I will tell you the truth. I received a call from President Iervolino yesterday.
— Davide Nicola (@DavideNicolaOff) January 18, 2023
“With his methods, which are always lovely and friendly, he explained to me the reasons for his painful decision which he had to take to highlight discontinuity after a bad defeat against Atalanta in Bergamo.
“I apologised, taking responsibility for a performance that was not adequate and the resulting heavy defeat. I believe in this team and its men and this great club.
“I strongly demanded the President reconsider his decision knowing to deal with a human soul that has a deep sensitivity to understanding and strongly wants to build a different football.
“I love Salerno and strongly believe in this project. The President has always given us passion, personality and desire to reach impossible targets. He firmly believes that when men push in the same direction, they can do extraordinary things.
“I thank the President for calling me; this means that the new football is made of passion and heart, and I want to repay his trust with all my love. I thank director Morgan De Sanctis for the mediation. Without him, this operation would not be possible. We have weeks of hard work ahead to reach our targets.
“Let’s start again, all together and recount another extraordinary history of football, giving the Granata fans the same passion and sense of belonging they always show us. This is Salerno, this is Salernitana, much more than just a football club.”
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