Former defender Raul Albiol felt Napoli deserved to win the Scudetto in 2018 and revealed Maurizio Sarri inspired him as he studies to become a coach.
Albiol arrived for €12m in July 2013 and stayed until 2019, when he moved back to Spain to play for Villarreal in La Liga.
The 35-year-old helped Napoli win the Coppa Italia in his first season with the club, before picking up the following Supercoppa Italiana in 2014-15, but he said it was a shame they never won the League during his six years at the San Paolo.
Former defender Raul Albiol felt Napoli deserved to win the Scudetto in 2018 and revealed Maurizio Sarri inspired him as he studies to become a coach.
Albiol arrived for €12m in July 2013 and stayed until 2019, when he moved back to Spain to play for Villarreal in La Liga.
The 35-year-old helped Napoli win the Coppa Italia in his first season with the club, before picking up the following Supercoppa Italiana in 2014-15, but he said it was a shame they never won the League during his six years at the San Paolo.
“In Naples I felt at home. I arrived in 2013, Rafa Benitez wanted me there, after it didn’t end well at Real Madrid,” he told Las Provincias.
“I found a very warm environment and a determination to win. Too bad we couldn’t give them the Scudetto, which we deserved.
“I have indelible memories after the win in Turin against Juventus in 2018, which made us hope for the Scudetto more than ever.
“When we arrived at Capodichino [airport], there were 5,000 fans waiting for us. It took us three hours to get out of the airport.
“It was six wonderful years that I will always carry in my heart.”
Albiol continued to reveal he has started studying to become a coach when he retires from playing and is inspired by former mentor Sarri.
“I will play for as long as I feel like it, but I’m already studying to become a coach, to be ready,” Albiol added. “I had a lot of fun with Sarri, a lot of fun.
“He showed me a different way of understanding football, which stayed with me. As a coach, I will certainly be inspired by him.
“I compare his personality to that of Luis Aragones, too bad he arrived late in the football that counts. He’s a great man, he deserved a better career, even if he is slowly getting success.”