New Coach Maurizio Sarri believes Napoli must stay 'among Italy's top five' and says he will not repeat his Empoli tactics.
The 56-year-old's results in Serie B took several years to garner the attention of clubs from the higher category, but the Coach believes the problem extends beyond his personal case.
“I'm not the one who has been overlooked, but players like [Daniel] Croce and [Mirko] Valdifiori,” he told Il Corriere dello Sport. “It's telling that they only made it into Serie A so late.
New Coach Maurizio Sarri believes Napoli must stay 'among Italy's top five' and says he will not repeat his Empoli tactics.
The 56-year-old's results in Serie B took several years to garner the attention of clubs from the higher category, but the Coach believes the problem extends beyond his personal case.
“I'm not the one who has been overlooked, but players like [Daniel] Croce and [Mirko] Valdifiori,” he told Il Corriere dello Sport. “It's telling that they only made it into Serie A so late.
“Would I have signed myself if I'd been in the shoes of President Aurelio De Laurentiis? Yes, and earlier too, to have a younger Coach.
“Having said that, I'll admit his choice took some courage.
“I'm excited, I won't deny that, even though I haven't been thinking about it very much.
“Comparisons? I'm not alike to [Max] Allegri or [Marcello] Lippi, because of their careers and the success they have reaped.
“And I'm not alike to [Corrado] Orrico and [Corrado] Viciani either, there is an inevitable difference between us.”
The former Empoli boss was asked to elaborate on his plans and his objectives.
“Now I'm just going to enjoy Napoli. This team plays a permanent role in Europe and is among the top five clubs in Italy for technical and financial merits.
“We must stay among the great teams. I'd already think of it as an achievement to outdo two of our four competitors.”
Finally, Sarri was asked whether Napoli would be built according to the model he set down at Empoli.
“That's impossible. I don't want to be repetitive, nor to reproduce a system that would have to deal with new players and new conditions.
“We want to be ourselves, with our own head, our own game and our own mentality.
“I'll adapt my game to the characteristics of the players that are available to me, to bring out the best in them.
“I know that you must be honest with your supporters. You shouldn't sell pipe dreams but guarantee them drive and professionalism.
“As for our results, the pitch will give us those.”