Venezia FC are the only Serie A side still without a point after five games, having lost to Lecce, Milan, Frosinone, Fiorentina and Lazio. They have scored four goals and conceded 13, the league's worst defensive record.
The latest defeat came at the Penzo, where Lazio won 2-0 through a Mattia Zaccagni penalty and a header from Tijjani Noslin, after goalkeeper Christos Mandas had saved a first-half penalty for the hosts. The home fans protested against the team, as the run follows an exit from the Coppa Italia against Udinese.
TuttoMercatoWeb reports that the club is now reflecting on whether to make a change during the three-week international break, and that Roberto D'Aversa is the name in pole position to replace Stroppa. The site adds that the name of Igor Tudor has also circulated, and that Paolo Zanetti was sounded out in recent days, although the approach was not taken further.
Tudor was spotted entering the stadium for Juventus's game against Atalanta, a coincidence that TuttoMercatoWeb notes, given that Atalanta are Venezia's next opponents after the break.
Other outlets are less convinced he is attainable. Sportivo24 says the option has faded because of the former coach's refusal, while journalist Nicolò Schira wrote, as relayed by Calcionapoli24, that Tudor is believed to have other proposals. Tudor's most recent job was at Tottenham Hotspur.
Stroppa made his own case after the Lazio game, stating: “If I were the board I wouldn't send the coach away. The table does not reflect the work done on the pitch.”
He led Venezia to promotion a few months ago, but his Serie A record is thin. His teams at Pescara, Crotone, Monza and Venezia have won six of 48 top-flight games, drawing six and losing 36.
Venezia visit Atalanta on 12 October, the first match after the break, so any decision on Stroppa's future is likely to come within the next three weeks.