Lecce hired Gotti after ex-Chelsea assistant coach saved Corvino’s life

Lecce director Pantaleo Corvino reveals he reached an agreement with Luca Gotti in March after the 56-year-old saved his life at night while the hotel where they were staying was burning down.

Ex-Chelsea assistant coach Gotti saved Corvino’s life in March, so the Lecce director hired him as the team’s new head coach the following day.

Lecce were looking for a new manager after sacking Roberto D’Aversa at that time. D’Aversa had tried to headbutt a Hellas Verona striker, Thomas Henry, after a home defeat at the Stadio Via Del Mare.

Gotti was among Lecce’s primary targets, but he had failed to reach an agreement with Corvino during their first meeting. Negotiations were expected to continue the following day.

Lecce hired Gotti after ex-Chelsea assistant coach saved Corvino’s life

“I was looking for a private place to negotiate, so we met at a place owned by a friend of mine,” Corvino said on Monday during the inauguration event for the summer transfer window, as quoted by Corriere dello Sport.

“We had dinner, but we didn’t reach an agreement. It was late, so we went to sleep. At some point at night, I heard a boom. It was Gotti knocking on my door because the place was on fire. We tried to go down the stairs, but there was too much smoke. I was about to faint, and we went down from the first-floor window.

“I was so confused and Gotti told me: ‘Leo, I am here with you.’ Once we were safe, I asked him, ‘ What were your salary expectations? I’ll give you twice as much!’

Gotti signed a contract until June 2024 and has extended his deal for a further year after securing survival with the Giallorossi.

The 56-year-old Italian tactician also worked for Udinese and Spezia and was Maurizio Sarri’s assistant coach at Chelsea in 2018-19 when the Blues won the Europa League.