The Italian Walter Mazzarri has not managed to reverse the terrible start of his predecessor, the Frenchman Rudi García, whom he replaced in November, and Naples is thinking about the second coaching change of the season, two days before hosting Barcelona in the round of 16 of the Champions League final. Even some Italian media, such as La Gazzetta dello Sport, announce that the coach will be fired this Monday.
The recent draw against Genoa (1-1), with a goal by Belgian Cyril Ngonge in the last minute, was the trigger for president Aurelio De Laurentiis, president of the club, to think again about a change of coach.
This situation comes after the coach’s poor results, which do not improve those of García: in 17 games played he has won only 6, tied 3 and lost 8, which places the team ninth in Serie A, 5 points from the European positions. and 9 from the Champions League.
Among the defeats, in addition, are a humiliating elimination in the Italian Cup against Frosinone (0-4), the final of the Italian Super Cup and those of the domestic championship against Inter, Juventus, Rome and Milan, their competition. Napoli is going through an identity crisis since the departure of Italian Luciano Spalletti, current Italy coach who won the historic Scudetto last season.
On the horizon, according to Gazzetta, looms the figure of the Italian Francesco Calzona, Slovakia’s coach since 2022, who recently qualified for the next Euro Cup. The coach was part of the coaching staff of the Italians Maurizio Sarri and Luciano Spalletti during their respective periods at Naples, so he knows the dynamics of the club.
De Laurentiis would have contacted the Slovak Football Federation to ask that Calzona accept the role of coach of both teams until the end of the season. If Calzona’s arrival is confirmed, he would have a day of training before facing Barcelona in the momentous first leg of the round of 16 at the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium this Wednesday.
Check all the Serie A results.
