Aurelio De Laurentiis has apologised to Napoli fans for Sunday’s 3-0 defeat to Sampdoria but insisted that ‘patience is needed’.
Napoli crashed to another heavy defeat under Carlo Ancelotti, albeit their first in Serie A, on the same weekend that his predecessor Maurizio Sarri guided Chelsea to a fourth straight win.
“I’ve always said that the first games would be ones of settling in and getting to grips for our Coach, who has been out of Italy for several years,” the President told Radio Kiss Kiss.
Aurelio De Laurentiis has apologised to Napoli fans for Sunday’s 3-0 defeat to Sampdoria but insisted that ‘patience is needed’.
Napoli crashed to another heavy defeat under Carlo Ancelotti, albeit their first in Serie A, on the same weekend that his predecessor Maurizio Sarri guided Chelsea to a fourth straight win.
“I’ve always said that the first games would be ones of settling in and getting to grips for our Coach, who has been out of Italy for several years,” the President told Radio Kiss Kiss.
“Ancelotti has won lots of trophies, but when you change it’s like starting over every time.
“I apologise to the fans who want to win everything and immediately, but they had a good taste in their mouths with our first two victories.
“I was expecting a bump along the way, knowing that seven or nine games were needed for us to settle.
“There are new players who do not know Ancelotti’s methods or even Sarri’s. It’s been said that Carlo took some of ‘Sarrismo’, but these are things for journalists.
“The Coach simply needs time to set the team up to his liking. After that are our opponents, who must always be considered.
“I’m calm, in any case. We’ve made a change and we must look long term with a Coach who will improve us over time. Patience is needed.
“Last year I lost €15m, this year I will lose another €25m. These are the first years that Napoli have gone in the red, but I’m calm because these are years of investment and growth.
“The Dutch say we’re the team who have grown the most in the world over the last 10 years: that’s what matters to me. The rest will follow.
“We’ve made Napoli one of the queens of the world and we sit firmly on our saddle in a difficult context like football.”
De Laurentiis then asked why Liverpool – the Partenopei’s rivals in their Champions League group – were in Pot 3 of last week’s draw, despite them reaching the Final last season.
“I’ll have to ask UEFA for an explanation: Liverpool reached the Champions League Final so what were they doing in Pot 3?” added the movie mogul.
“For me, it’s a mess. I’ve always objected to these draws. There’s always been a bit of theatre in Montecarlo, a place that I’d abandon.
“I laugh when I go there. I’d move the draws to Nyon. The presence of the Reds in Pot 3 is a huge mystery.
“Our group is difficult, but if we’re to win the Champions League, it’s better to do so by beating the big sides.
“Therefore, let’s enjoy these great clashes, which will help the team grow.”