Soccer

Sampdoria, Wolves, Elche sacked coaches inside a week. Here’s why

Sampdoria, Wolves, Elche sacked coaches inside a week. Here’s why

As pressure grows in the European league, soccer teams are making big decisions to save their standings early in the season, including sacking their head coaches. This move is vital in struggling sides, as change in the management often makes a huge difference in the succeeding matchdays. The 2022-23 season has seen big names already fired, and three of them happened this week alone. Here’s who and why:

Marco Giampaolo (Sampdoria – Serie A)

Following the weekend’s home defeat to Monza 0-3, Serie A strugglers Sampdoria have sacked head coach Marco Giampaolo. The 55-year-old replaced Roberto D’Aversa in January and took charge of a total of 24 league games, winning five, drawing three, and losing 16. They currently sit outside the relegation zone after the loss and ahead of their match at Juventu. Follow us for bet prediction today!

It was Giampaolo’s second spell at the club, having also been in charge between 2016 and 2019. Clearly, it didn’t end well for him as two points from the first eight games of the new season cost him to lose his job again. “The club would like to thank Marco and his staff for the dedication and professionalism they showed while working for Sampdoria,” the club said in a statement.

Giampaolo’s predecessor D’Aversa and former Samp coach Claudio Ranieri were the frontrunners to replace Giampaolo. Former UEFA advisor and Red Star Belgrade coach Dejan Stankovic was also seen meeting with Sampdoria officials about the vacancy . Earlier, the Genoa club were reportedly in talks with PSG owners about the acquisition of the club.

Bruno Lage (Wolverhampton Wanderers – EPL)

In the Premier League, Wolverhampton Wanderers have announced that Bruno Lage will no longer be in charge as the first team coach following a disappointing start to the season, leaving the club in the danger zone with six points from eight matches. The 46-year-old led the club in 51 matches, recording 19 wins and 22 defeats in all competitions. Wolves have won only one game in the last 15 matches.

The move came after Wolves’ latest defeat in the league, with West Ham United sank them 2-0. With only 3 goals so far this season, Wolves are currently the lowest scorers in the top-flight despite spending more than £100million over the summer transfer window, with the owners backing Lage’s move to purchase Sasa Kalajdzic, Matheus Nunes, Goncalo Guedes and Nathan Collins.

“Bruno is an excellent coach, a hardworking and dedicated manager, and a warm, wise and honest man,” Wolves chairman Jeff Shi added. “He and his staff have been a pleasure to work with throughout their time at Wolves, so it is with much sadness that we have had to make what has been a difficult decision.” Wolves scored just 41 goals in 46 league games under Lage.

Francisco Rodriguez (Elche – La Liga)

Elche sacked coach Francisco Rodriguez following defeat by Rayo Vallecano 2-1, becoming the first La Liga coach to be fired this season after a poor start. Francisco left the club with just one point from seven games in La Liga. “The Club would like to thank the coach for his work and commitment during his time as a franjiverde, achieving permanence in LaLiga Santander last season,” the club said.

Under the Andalusian coach at the start of the season, Elche have suffered heavy defeats, conceding 3 or more goals, such as in a 4-0 loss to Villarreal, a 4-1 to Athletic Bilbao, and 3-0 defeats against Real Betis and Barcelona. Francisco arrived at Elche CF in November last year, replacing Fran Escrib, lifting the club out of relegation with three games left to play last season.

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