Rafa Benitez insists uncertainty over his future won’t affect his Napoli players as they enter the final stretch of the season.
The Partenopei face Roma tomorrow in what could be a crucial game in their quest before Champions League qualification.
The Neapolitan side are also aiming to win the Europa League and Coppa Italia, but Benitez has yet to agree on a new contract with his current deal expiring at the end of the season.
“Will it affect the team? No,” the Spaniard said bluntly in this afternoon’s Press conference.
Rafa Benitez insists uncertainty over his future won’t affect his Napoli players as they enter the final stretch of the season.
The Partenopei face Roma tomorrow in what could be a crucial game in their quest before Champions League qualification.
The Neapolitan side are also aiming to win the Europa League and Coppa Italia, but Benitez has yet to agree on a new contract with his current deal expiring at the end of the season.
“Will it affect the team? No,” the Spaniard said bluntly in this afternoon’s Press conference.
“The last team I coached [Chelsea] got third place and won the Europa League, even though they knew I was leaving.
“We scored in the [Europa League] final in the last minute. If you coach with a winning mentality then you transfer that to your players.
“Nothing has been decided. In the next few weeks I’ll meet with the President [Aurelio De Laurentiis], and discuss the future, always wanting what’s best for Napoli.
“That’s all I have to say, and I won’t say it again.
“The goal is to take the club to a level which allows it to remain competitive for years, winning trophies and and fighting on multiple fronts.”
Napoli were one of the sides expected to be competing for the Scudetto, but Juventus are running away with it, is Benitez surprised?
“No, I’m not surprised. Allegri is proving his worth and their team is the strongest.
“What they’re doing in the Champions League is good for Italian football, to have so many teams picking up [coefficient] points.”
Finally, the tactician was asked what would be in his Easter egg this weekend.
“Points,” Benitez replied.
“Lots of points.”
Meanwhile, the Spaniard has named the squad which will make the trip to Rome for tomorrow's match.
Napoli squad to face Roma: Rafael, Andujar, Colombo, Maggio, Mesto, Ghoulam, Strinic, Zuniga, Albiol, Britos, Koulibaly, Henrique, Jorginho, David Lopez, Gargano, Mertens, De Guzman, Callejon, Insigne, Gabbiadini, Hamsik, Duvan, Higuain.