Walter Mazzarri Under Fire: What Happened in Greece

Walter Mazzarri has come under fire in Greece over what happened during the match between his Iraklis Thessaloniki and Atromitos, which ended in a 1-1 draw. At the end of the match, the Livorno-born coach came under fire from the opposing coach, Dusan Kerkez, who accused him of unsportsmanlike conduct on the sidelines and of behaving in a manner unbecoming of his position.

“He was a good coach, but perhaps he’s not a role model for us younger coaches,” Kerkez said pointedly at a press conference. “I respect Iraklis—it’s a historic club—but as far as I’m concerned, that man has zero respect. I went over to shake his hand, and he wouldn’t give it to me, as if I were a gypsy. He may have won ten trophies, but to me, he’s worth nothing.”

“I don’t even want to say his name,” he continued. “The e-cigarette on the bench? You can’t even smoke in restaurants, and he was smoking on the bench. Don’t they see these things? The shouting at the referee? He was constantly protesting, instead of setting an example at 65 years old.”

Currently, Mazzarri’s Iraklis sits in eighth place in the Greek league standings with 5 points, the result of one win and two draws.