Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis has decided to appoint Walter Mazzarri as the team’s new head coach, Gianluca Di Marzio reports.
The decision has already been made to sack current head coach Rudi Garcia after the team’s disappointing start to the season – eight wins, four draws and four defeats. The 1-0 loss to Empoli on Sunday has sealed the Frenchman’s fate, ending his time in charge after just four months.
Napoli have been looking around for a replacement and an early favourite was Igor Tudor, who was open to the idea of joining the club but talks hit a snag regarding the renewal clause in his deal and the requested salary. Mazzarri then emerged as a surprise alternative.
As reported by Gianluca Di Marzio, De Laurentiis has now resolved his doubts regarding the next Napoli coach and decided to move forward with Mazzarri, who he’ll meet with this afternoon to define the details of his seven-month contract.
The 62-year-old coach, who previously spent four years in the Campania capital from 2009 to 2013, is happy to act as a custodian of the club until the end of the season. His salary requests are also noticeably lower than Tudor’s.
What a terrible (but very ADL) decision to appoint Mazzari. He’s like a more rigid Conte but without the tactical intelligence and flexibility. Such a stiff appointment.
Hard to know how this will work out. I dont think it will excite many fans. Hopefully he will be successful as thats the hope of everybody in the long run.