Former sporting director Walter Sabatini is confident that Rudi Garcia will do well with Napoli, remembering their time together at Roma.
The 59-year-old French coach was a surprise pick for the Partenopei following Luciano Spalletti’s decision to step back from his role. He was not reported to be one of the favourites for the job and the initial fan reaction was not particularly positive.
Garcia now has to prove himself to the Napoli fanbase after the club’s historic Scudetto success in the 2022-23 season. He’s hoping to retain stars like Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Victor Osimhen, who shined in Campania this year.
Speaking to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Sabatini first gave his thoughts on Garcia’s move to Napoli.
“He’s an important coach who deserves a place like Napoli. He’s an excellent choice. He’ll accompany the team for the qualities he has, and he’ll get results, I’m convinced of it. It’ll be a lucky pairing with De Laurentiis. Rudi knows how to make teams play football.”
He explained why he decided to hire the Frenchman for Roma in 2013.
“Because the Lille team he won the league with in France played spectacular football and had an atomic attack with Hazard and Gervinho, who we then brought to Roma.”
The former sporting director also remembered his first meeting with Garcia.
“Just think that he was on holiday in North Africa and, to come and coach Roma, the next morning he was already in Milan talking to me. Instinctively I liked it.
“And then he was explaining football without useless ostentation, without thinking of being a ‘deus ex machina’, but instead exalting the players. In short, I liked him immediately.”
Sabatini commented on Garcia’s ability to maintain Napoli’s level after their Scudetto success.
“He has enough culture and irony to navigate complex situations. I don’t forget his extraordinary start at the Giallorossi with ten consecutive wins. At Roma he did a great job.
“He came at a very complicated time, but Rudi has a great gift, he can navigate through complex situations. He also knows how to recognise good players.”
Finally, Sabatini touched on how painful it was to dismiss Garcia from Roma in 2016.
“Very. There was an overall drop in the team’s performance, but it was a very painful departure, because he had great merit at Roma after inheriting a very heavy situation. Yet he had faced everything with great serenity and determination.”