SOCCER
Filippo Inzaghi named as Ochoa’s new manager at Salernitana
Paulo Sousa was removed from his position and replaced by Filippo Inzaghi, who will look to turn Ochoa and Salernitana’s fortunes around.
Guillermo Ochoa and Salernitana are wading through mud in Italy this season. The team are in the bottom two of the league table and look as fragile as a baby butterfly between King Charles’ fingers, something which has caused their board to act and relieve coach Paulo Sousa of his duties, replacing him with Filippo Inzaghi.
“Salernitana announce that they have relieved Paulo Sousa of his role as first team manager. We would like to thank him for the job he carried out and the club would like to wish him the best for the future”, came the short but arguably necessary statement. The club did not waste any time and, a minute later, announced the arrival of Inzaghi to the bench, saying that his technical staff will be agreed on “shortly”.
Where are Ochoa’s Salernitana in the league?
Looking at the Serie A table, it is easy to understand why the big red button was pressed: Salernitana are second-bottom in the division after 8 games and have just 3 points so far this season; they are winless so far in the season, drawing against Frosinone, Udinese and Roma. The relegation battle is on.
Sousa’s record for the side was not pretty viewing, either: he won just 5 games from 25, with 12 draws and 8 defeats in all competitions while the club struggled to get their 23/24 season up and running, and the board have acted before it is deemed too late.
As for Guillermo Ochoa, the Mexican goalkeeper will not only be looking to maintain his place in the side but also for ‘Superpippo’ to solidify the defensive structure in front of him: the team have conceded the most goals in the league so far, with 17 in 8 games, which averages out, for you maths whizzes, to over 2 per 90.
Ochoa has, according to FBREF, received 40 shots in those games (including three penalties), and has saved over half of the attempts on his goal (65%). At the other end of the pitch, they have scored 4 in 8. I’ll leave you to do the percentages on that one.
