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GUN CONTROL

Ex-Swansea boss Francesco Guidolin ‘pulled out a rifle and aimed it at players’, claims former Juventus striker Amauri

Stunt clearly worked as Palermo ran out 3-0 winners in a Uefa Cup match against West Ham in 2006

FORMER Juventus striker Amauri has revealed that Francesco Guidolin pulled out a GUN and aimed it at his team when he was playing for him in Italy.

The Italian manager, who lasted just 25 matches in charge of Swansea City in 2016, was in charge at Palermo in 2006 when the incident took place.

 Former Palermo and Juventus striker Amauri has revealed Francesco Guidolin used a strange motivational tactic
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Former Palermo and Juventus striker Amauri has revealed Francesco Guidolin used a strange motivational tacticCredit: AFP - Getty
 The former Palermo boss aimed a GUN at his players in the build-up to a Uefa Cup match against West Ham
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The former Palermo boss aimed a GUN at his players in the build-up to a Uefa Cup match against West HamCredit: AFP - Getty

Amauri, who spent three seasons at Juventus, was at Palermo when the incident took place.

The Sicilian team were facing West Ham in a Uefa Cup clash.

The first leg, won 1-0 by Palermo at Upton Park, was famous for the Hammers handing a controversial first start to Carlos Tevez and a debut to Javier Mascherano.

Heading into the second leg Guidolin, who had four spells as manager of Palermo, used a strange motivation tactic.

But it worked.

Amauri revealed to Italian newspaper Il Giornale di Sicilia: "I'll never forget what happened one afternoon in training.

"We prepared for the second leg of our Uefa Cup tie with West Ham and Guidolin came into the dressing room with a big bag.

 The tactic clearly worked - Palermo beat West Ham 3-0
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The tactic clearly worked - Palermo beat West Ham 3-0Credit: AP:Associated Press
 Guidolin had an unhappy 25-match spell at Swansea City before he was sacked
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Guidolin had an unhappy 25-match spell at Swansea City before he was sackedCredit: AFP or licensors

"He then pulled out a rifle and aimed it at all my team-mates and I, exclaiming, 'we've hurt them, now let's go on the pitch and finish them off…'

"I remember that with [Fabio] Simplicio, we managed to hold back the laughter, but it's a nice memory, which I still remember with pleasure."

In the second leg at the Stadio Renzo Barbera, Palermo won 3-0.

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