Cristiano Bacci Sacked: Tondela Manager Out After Poor Results

Cristiano Bacci has been dismissed as head coach of Tondela following an alleged physical altercation with club president Gilberto Coimbra after a scoreless draw against AVS on Saturday evening, multiple Portuguese news outlets reported.

The incident occurred after the final whistle of the Primeira Liga match at Estádio João Cardoso. According to reports from Desporto ao Minuto and Maisfutebol, Bacci and Coimbra entered a private room where a heated discussion escalated into a physical assault. Witnesses cited by Sport TV allege that Bacci “apertado o pescoço” (tightened the neck) of Coimbra, prompting the president to call for help.

Maisfutebol reported that Coimbra demanded the immediate arrest of the Italian coach and filed a complaint with the GNR, the Portuguese national republican guard. The team’s technical staff intervened to de-escalate the situation, according to Desporto ao Minuto.

Bacci’s departure was confirmed by MSN and Desporto ao Minuto on Sunday, March 22, 2026. The dismissal comes amid a challenging period for Tondela, who are currently 17th in the Primeira Liga table with 20 points, facing a significant threat of relegation. The club has failed to secure a win in their last three matches – two draws and a defeat.

Prior to the incident, Bacci had publicly stated that Tondela remained “vivo” (alive) in the fight for survival, as reported by O Jogo. He had taken charge of the team in November 2025, inheriting a side also in 17th place at the time.

The club has yet to announce a replacement for Bacci. No further details regarding the investigation into the alleged assault have been released.