Napoli President Aurelio De Laurentiis explains he hired Rudi Garcia after ‘having known him for the last 10 days.’
The Frenchman will replace Luciano Spalletti in 2023-24. Napoli confirmed his appointment on Thursday evening, shortly after the beginning of Italy’s Nations League semifinal against Spain.
“I am pleased to announce that, after having known him for the last 10 days, Mr Rudi Garcia will be the new coach of Napoli,” ADL tweeted after Napoli’s official statement.
“To him, the most sincere welcome and a good luck wish.”
Ex-PSG coach Christophe Galtier was believed to be the leading candidate for the Napoli job, with multiple reports claiming on Thursday morning that De Laurentiis was preparing an offer for the Frenchman.
Garcia was eventually hired, but Napoli have not revealed much more about his appointment, even failing to mention the length of the coach’s contract in their official statement.
ADL said in May that he was looking for a coach using a 4-3-3 formation. Luis Enrique was also linked with the Napoli job, but De Laurentiis soon scrapped the Spaniard from the list.
Oddly, Garcia was sacked by Roma in January 2016 and replaced by Luciano Spalletti. The Certaldo born-coach has led Napoli to their first Serie A title in 33 years this season.