Triestina Boss Pep Clotet Grabs His Player By Collar After Red Card In Serie C Game: Watch
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Pep Clotet man-handled Raimonds Krollis for being sent off.
Pep Clotet man-handles Raimonds Krollis (X)
Former Birmingham City manager Pep Clotet courted controversy following a heated on-field exchange with one of his players during a Serie C game on Saturday. Clotet who managed Brighton in the EFL Championship between 2019 and 2020 is currently at the helm of Italian club Triestina. The 47-year-old was furious after Raimonds Krollis saw a red card due to a freak argument in the last league fixture against Giana Erminio at home. Triestina ended up losing the match by one goal. They are now reeling at the bottom of the Serie C standings, having managed just one win in 14 matches this season.
Clotet feels Krollis’ red card had a huge impact on the game. The club boss was seen confronting the Latvian forward on the sidelines. Clotet even laid his hands on the 23-year-old footballer, who joined Triestina on loan from Serie B side Spezia.
Krollis was on his way to the dressing room when Clotet angrily approached him. The Spanish manager grabbed Krollis by the collar and started to shake him in front of the home crowd. Several clips of the event went viral on social media, with football fans slamming Clotet for his on-field behaviour.
After Krollis was sent off, Triestina was forced to play almost two-thirds of the match with ten men. They were able to showcase great composure in defence but a late strike by Gabriel Avinci ensured three points for Giana Erminio who remain 13th in the Serie C table.
Despite widespread criticism, Clotet doesn’t regret his behaviour with Krollis. During the post-match presser,he mentioned that the youngster would never be included in the matchday squad as long as he remained in change.
“My gesture was right for what happened. What Krollis did is unacceptable. It damages Triestina, the club he represents and football in general. Giana Erminio surprised us with their tactical attitude, but we managed to recover and get into the game until the expulsion. Obviously, they then managed the game, but we, in numerical inferiority, fought and tried until the end,” Clotet said.
“We need to develop a more careful mentality. We need to know how to manage the crucial moments of the games, and this is an individual aspect. We lack understanding of situations. Sometimes we risk needlessly. But the commitment was there,” he added.
After leaving Birmingham, Clotet spent three seasons with Brescia before serving as the manager of SPAL and Torpedo Moscow. He was appointed by Triestina last month.
