D'Aversa addresses Torino future after Inter comeback, contract set to expire
Torino manager Roberto D'Aversa has confirmed his contract with the Serie A club expires at the end of the season, speaking publicly after his team's 2-2 comeback draw against league leaders Inter Milan. The 48-year-old coach, appointed in January on a deal until June, stated his immediate focus is on the final matches of the campaign rather than his own future, amid silence from the club's hierarchy regarding an extension.
D'Aversa's comments came in a post-match press conference following a spirited second-half performance at the Stadio Olimpico Grande Torino. His side fought back from two goals down to secure a point against the soon-to-be-crowned Italian champions. "I am tied by contract until the end of the championship," D'Aversa said, according to reports from the press conference. "My only thought is to reason day by day."
The former Lecce and Sampdoria manager was brought in to replace the sacked Ivan Juric, with the primary objective of steering the club away from any relegation concerns and into a comfortable mid-table position. Under his guidance, Torino have shown improved offensive output and resilience, a point he emphasized by praising the commitment of players like striker Duvan Zapata, who returned from injury to help secure the draw against Inter.
When asked if he regretted the club's silence on his future despite the team's improved performances, D'Aversa referenced initial skepticism around his appointment. "When I arrived, not everyone was enthusiastic about my arrival," he said. "The only goal I set myself is to try to show that I can be a Torino coach and achieve the goal the club asked of me. Now my contract is not the priority." His remarks suggest a desire to continue but an acceptance that the decision rests with the club's ownership.
The context of D'Aversa's tenure is crucial. He inherited a team with a strong defensive record but one that struggled for goals. His task was to unlock a potent attacking lineup featuring Zapata and Nikola Vlasic. The recent form, including draws against top sides, indicates progress in that regard, making the decision on his future a significant one for Torino's planning. The club currently sits in the bottom half of Serie A but is mathematically safe from the drop.
Looking forward, Torino's final matches of the season against Fiorentina and Atalanta will serve as a final audition for D'Aversa. The club's management, led by president Urbano Cairo, now faces a clear choice: to offer the coach a new contract based on the foundation he has built or to seek a different direction for the 2024-25 campaign. The outcome will define the club's stability and ambition heading into the summer transfer window.
