Fabio Pecchia has resigned as the manager of J2 side Avispa Fukuoka, as per this report from Football Tribe Japan.
Pecchia, who became manager of the Avispa at the beginning of this season, had worked as an assistant coach for Rafael Benítez at Napoli, Real Madrid, and Newcastle United.
However, he did not succeed in achieving his objectives for the season. Avispa, who typically fight in the promotion playoff area every year, now stands in 18th place this season.
The other day, Fukuoka’s General Manager Kento Suzuki said Pecchia stay in his current post, despite the mounting pressure. However, Pecchia then stated that he would relinquish his post, returning to Italy for family reasons.
Pecchia commented on the club’s official site: “Unfortunately, I have to say goodbye to Avispa Fukuoka for my own personal reasons and return to Italy. I am grateful that the president, Avispa’s stockholders, and reinforcement manager believe in me and chose me to be part of this wonderful project.
“I would like to say ‘Thank you very much’ to all the fans who love us and support us at any time,” Pecchia Added. “And I would like to express my gratitude to the players, coaching staff and interpreter Davide who have been working with me for the last 5 months. Thanks to them I was able to grow as a human and as a football leader.
“We sincerely hope that Avispa aims at a big goal from now on. Thank you very much. See you again somewhere”