Crisis Hits Napoli: Mazzarri on the Brink as Owner Di Laurentiis Weighs Managerial Change

A seismic event is unfolding at Napoli. Walter Mazzarri arrived at Saturday’s clash against Genoa already under significant pressure, and following a last-minute draw at home (after trailing throughout the match), his situation has only worsened. According to SPORT sources, the eccentric owner of the Naples-based club, Aurelio Di Laurentiis, could potentially dismiss the veteran Italian coach within the next few hours. Mazzarri took charge of the southern Italian side in November, replacing Rudi García, and not only has he failed to improve the team’s performance, but Napoli now sits 27 points behind the leader with an extra game played.

Miles away from the top tier, Napoli continues to display uninspiring football without a clear pattern, and the stars that shone in the previous season have dimmed. External issues have certainly not helped matters.

Six points adrift from the Champions League zone, a gap that could extend to nine if Sassuolo secures a victory. After losing the Supercoppa to Inter and suffering a resounding 0-4 defeat to Frosinone in the Coppa Italia at home, Napoli finds itself adrift, and the club’s top executive might be seeking a change of course just two days before the Champions League showdown against Barcelona.

It has only been a few months since the historic Scudetto win, more than 30 years in the making, but there is little resemblance to the squad led by Luciano Spalletti. The style, the pressure, the verticality—every aspect of that identity has vanished from a team that is struggling. Following Rudi García’s dismissal in November, the choice of the wily Walter Mazzarri has not yielded the desired results.

Two names are prominently in the air: Julen Lopetegui and Marco Giampaolo. The Basque coach has recently turned down an offer from Crystal Palace, while the Italian manager has been without a team since departing from Sampdoria in 2022.