Napoli patron Aurelio De Laurentiis has accused Maurizio Sarri of ‘forcing’ him to change coach at the San Paolo and claimed Carlo Ancelotti was not the right man for the job.
The Partenopei overcame Inter in the semi-finals and will face the Maurizio Sarri’s Juventus in Rome on Wednesday, when Gennaro Gattuso and the former Azzurri coach clash in sight of their first trophy in Italy.
Napoli patron Aurelio De Laurentiis has accused Maurizio Sarri of ‘forcing’ him to change coach at the San Paolo and claimed Carlo Ancelotti was not the right man for the job.
The Partenopei overcame Inter in the semi-finals and will face the Maurizio Sarri’s Juventus in Rome on Wednesday, when Gennaro Gattuso and the former Azzurri coach clash in sight of their first trophy in Italy.
Sarri was a popular man at the San Paolo until a sudden end to his spell in Naples and his reputation in Campania didn’t improve when he signed for Juventus after only year at Chelsea.
De Laurentiis recalls Sarri’s last months in charge of Napoli and hits out at the former coach.
“He made me angry with the tasteless excuse of money,” De Laurentiis told Corriere dello Sport. “He forced me to change and still had a two-year deal.
“In February he invited me to lunch in Tuscany, close to his house and organised with his wife. He didn’t mention stopping and took me all the way to the day ahead of the last game, creating uncertainties for the club.
“Three unforgettable seasons? There are other factors, but also in football you need an excellent director and an excellent producer. It’s natural that the entrepreneur gives indications and that part of the merit is recognised, not only the fault in defeat.
“Who brought [Edinson] Cavani here? And [Walter] Mazzarri? What about [Rafa] Benitez? What about [Gonzalo] Higuain, Sarri?
“When I chose them, the city was plastered with banners against me.”
De Laurentiis then revealed Carlo Ancelotti was not the right man at the San Paolo and claimed he should have parted ways with the former Milan hero earlier.
“He reminded me of my father. I chose his serenity, composure, his pleasant closeness. My father was a philosopher, an extremely sweet man. Like Carlo.
“But signing him, being able to resort to the release clause, I should have told him: ‘Carlo, I don’t think you are made for the type of football they want in Naples, let’s keep the great friendship because football here is different. I introduced you to a city that you now love and that surprised you, better to end it here.’
“Instead, I made the second mistake.”