Davide Nicola, Serie A’s Houdini, pulls off another escape act with Empoli | Nicky Bandini
After avoiding relegation with four other clubs, the magic manager performed his favourite trick on the final day
It takes a confident magician to hold their nerve until the last moment of an escape act, allowing the audience’s anticipation to give way to concern and then panic. Could a hidden key have slipped free from anxious fingers? Will the water in that sealed tank keep rising? Might it be too late by the time anybody realises they needed saving?
Davide Nicola has earned his reputation as Serie A’s Harry Houdini. In 2016, he took charge of a Crotone side who had just been promoted to Serie A for the first time in club history. After 29 games, they had 14 points.
