Serie A: Legendary Italian defender Alessandro Nesta sacked as AC Monza head coach

Serie A: Legendary Italian defender Alessandro Nesta sacked as AC Monza head coach

New Delhi: Italian club AC Monza have confirmed the sacking of head coach Alessandro Nesta, with the club languishing at the bottom of the Serie A table following a dismal start to the season. The former Italy and AC Milan defender leaves the club after securing just one league win in 17 matches, with Monza sitting five points adrift of safety. Nesta, appointed in June as the successor to Raffaele Palladino, struggled to adapt in his first Serie A managerial role.

Despite his impressive playing pedigree, which includes winning the 2006 FIFA World Cup and multiple Serie A titles, the transition to the dugout has proved challenging for him. Monza’s 2-1 defeat to Juventus on Sunday marked their third consecutive league loss and extended their winless streak to nine matches. The result also compounded a historic low for the club, as they suffered four straight home defeats in Serie A for the first time.

🚨🔴 Monza manager Alessandro Nesta has been fired, decision made today by the board after defeat vs Juventus. pic.twitter.com/0aMvqYS1uf

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) December 23, 2024

Nesta’s Monza side managed just three victories across 20 matches in all competitions, averaging a disappointing 0.80 points per game. Their sole Serie A triumph came in October against Hellas Verona, a match that initially hinted at potential improvement. However, the failure to build on that triumph proved to be costly for the legendary defender as Monza were quickly pegged back to the bottom of the league table.

While the team’s defense wasn’t as bad as you’d expect from a team sitting at the bottom of the league, their lack of fire power costed Nesta his job. Monza have scored just 15 goals in 17 games this season, which makes them the third worst attack in the league. Even though they weren’t the worst at either scoring or conceding, they still failed to win all but one of their games. While Monza rarely suffered heavy defeats, their inability to hold onto leads or see out close games became a recurring problem.

AC Monza announce Alessandro Nesta’s replacement

Monza confirm the appointment of ex-Serie A defender Salvatore Bocchetti as their new first-team coach to replace the fired Alessandro Nesta. pic.twitter.com/WxaNZPQWg3

— Football Italia (@footballitalia) December 23, 2024

Moving quickly, AC Monza have even announced Nesta’s replacement, mere hours after the Italian’s departure from the club. They have announced the appointment of Salvatore Bocchetti as their new head coach on Monday, with Bocchetti signing a contract that will keep him at the Brianteo until June 30, 2027. A former Serie A defender, steps into the role with limited experience as a head coach in the top flight.

However, he gained valuable insights as an assistant to Marco Zaffaroni during Hellas Verona’s 2022-23 campaign. His efforts played a key role in helping the Gialloblu stave off relegation to Serie B, showcasing his ability to deliver results under pressure. The 36-year-old’s first task will be a crucial one, as Monza face fellow relegation contenders Parma on Saturday at the Stadio Tardini.

Bocchetti’s home debut is scheduled for Monza’s first match of 2025 against Cagliari, another direct rival in the fight to avoid the drop. With the club’s survival at stake, his ability to inject energy and cohesion into the squad will be critical. Monza’s decision to hand Bocchetti a long-term contract reflects faith in his potential to guide the club not only through this relegation battle but also to stability in Serie A.

 

 AC Milan legend Alessandro Nesta had been appointed as AC Monza head coach in the summer after just replacing Raffaele Palladino but lasted only 17 games in the job.  Football Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today