An ex-Swansea City and Leeds United coach has found himself at the centre of a shocking incident as he was caught on camera aggressively confronting one of his own players following a red card during a match on Friday. Pep Clotet, who previously managed Birmingham City, Oxford United, as well as having spells at Brescia and Torpedo Moscow, recently took over as head coach of Italian side Triestina. However, his tenure at the club has already been marred by this extraordinary bust-up.
During Friday’s match against mid-table side Giana Erminio, Triestina found themselves down to 10 men after striker Raimonds Krollis received a straight red card just 33 minutes into the game. This dismissal clearly infuriated Clotet, who was seen beckoning Krollis over before aggressively grabbing him by the collar and pulling him towards the tunnel. Despite this incident, Triestina seemed on course for a draw until Giana Erminio scored a late winner in the 87th minute, further adding to Clotet’s frustrations.
The defeat leaves Triestina languishing at the bottom of the Serie C league table, with Clotet only managing to secure two points from his four games in charge so far. Despite the mounting pressure, Clotet showed no remorse for his actions towards Krollis. He defended his actions by stating that Krollis’ behaviour was unacceptable and that the player had effectively ended his time at the club by his actions. Clotet emphasised the importance of discipline and focus in Serie C football, placing individual responsibility on the players to manage key moments of the game.
Clotet’s coaching career has seen him work with various clubs, including Swansea City, Leeds United, and Birmingham City. His association with former manager Garry Monk has been well-documented, with the two having worked closely together before a public falling out. Despite the recent controversy, Clotet remains resolute in his approach and determination to turn Triestina’s fortunes around.
The incident has sparked debate and speculation among football fans and pundits, highlighting the intense pressure and scrutiny that coaches face in the competitive world of professional football. As Clotet navigates this challenging period at Triestina, the focus now shifts to how he will handle the aftermath of this incident and lead the team towards better results on the pitch.