Napoli Coach Carlo Ancelotti admits “I expected everything but coming here”, but was immediately convinced by the project.
The former Milan and Real Madrid boss replaced Maurizio Sarri in the summer, and has made a strong start to to his career in Naples.
“I didn’t expect to be called by De Laurentiis,” Ancelotti said in an interview with Il Mattino, which was broadcast live on Facebook.
Napoli Coach Carlo Ancelotti admits “I expected everything but coming here”, but was immediately convinced by the project.
The former Milan and Real Madrid boss replaced Maurizio Sarri in the summer, and has made a strong start to to his career in Naples.
“I didn’t expect to be called by De Laurentiis,” Ancelotti said in an interview with Il Mattino, which was broadcast live on Facebook.
“I was expecting everything but coming here, I thought Sarri’s adventure would continue. But I was convinced it would be the right choice for me, from the project to the players.
“The comparison with Sarri never bothered me, I know him really well and he’s loved because of what he did here.
“He got results through the quality of his game, his team dominated every match.
“An important signal of the work he did in his three years is that the players have great awareness, much more than a lot of their colleagues.
“De Laurentiis? He’s volcanic and generous, and we don’t only talk about football. Spending time with him and his family is a pleasure, but when we play Tressette [a card game] I win, even if I sometimes let him think he’s better…
“I think it’s appropriate to tell the President the sporting director the team I’m going to play, though sometimes I only decide on the morning of the match.”
It was then put to Ancelotti that no-one south of Rome wins the Scudetto…
“Then now is the time to win it. In the south there’s only Napoli. But the investment all goes to the north and that’s why the north dominates. We’ll do everything in our capacity.
“Can Inter challenge? Absolutely, they’re a strong team, with quality.”