Fabio Cannavaro reveals Napoli never offered him to replace Rudi Garcia but insists he shouldn’t only be judged by his experience as the Benevento coach.
The 2006 Italy World Cup winner had been linked with the Napoli job, but the Partenopei have now hired Walter Mazzarri as an interim coach until the end of the season.
“There was nothing. I watched Napoli-Empoli close to De Laurentiis out of respect for the President,” Cannavaro told Sport Mediaset.
When asked if he hoped he could have become Napoli’s coach, Cannavaro replied: “How could I believe if they never called me? They have hired Mazzarri now. He knows the environment well. Hopefully, he will solve the situation.”
Cannavaro won the Chinese title twice but has only coached a team in Europe. It happened between September 2022 and February 2023, when he won three games out of 17 in charge of Serie B side Benevento.
“Any call must be considered whether it is Italy, Europe or elsewhere,” he said.
“People know I have the chance to make my ideas known and transmit my experience. Of course, if I am only judged by what happened in Benevento, I’ll be limited.
“Look at De Zerbi. The start was tough, now he’s a coach in the Premier League. The same goes for Mazzarri, who comes from unpleasant situations but still coaches. Lippi was sacked, but then he won the World Cup.”