Official: Mazzarri Sacked, Calzona Takes the Helm at Napoli

Napoli’s president, Aurelio De Laurentiis, confirmed what had become an open secret and will unveil a new coach against FC Barcelona on Wednesday. “It’s painful to part ways with Mazzarri, but we welcome Calzona,” De Laurentiis told Sky Sport.

It’s official. Napoli changes its coach less than 48 hours before facing FC Barcelona in the Champions League round of 16. Aurelio De Laurentiis decided last night to dismiss Walter Mazzarri as the head of the team, and this morning, negotiations were underway with the chosen replacement, Francesco Calzona. The Napoli president himself, Aurelio De Laurentiis, revealed this before it became official through the club’s media. “It’s always painful to part ways with a friend. He helped us when we were in difficulty. Is it a wise decision? We will see. We welcome Calzona, who knows 80 percent of our players,” explained the president to Sky Sports as negotiations were ongoing at the hotel.

Mazzarri, who arrived in November to replace Rudi Garcia, has worsened the team’s statistics compared to his predecessor. Napoli is a team without personality, without soul, without a clear playing idea. The eccentric club owner has decided to make a clean break.

RECLAIMING A SPALLETTI LEGACY In search of a change in fortunes and aiming to recapture some of the lost essence from Spalletti’s departure, De Laurentiis has brought in Calzona, who is familiar with Napoli. The Calabrian coach was an assistant to Maurizio Sarri in an initial stage and also served as an assistant to Spalletti in his first year at Napoli.

In July 2022, Calzona received an offer to take charge of the Slovakian national team, a role he will juggle alongside Napoli. Initially, he signs only until June as a temporary solution.