Struggling Napoli turn to Calzona to spark Serie A, UCL Revival

Struggling Italian defending champions Napoli have sacked manager Walter Mazzarri after a poor run of results. The 62-year-old was brought in back in November after previous boss Rudi Garcia was dismissed following Napoli’s fall to ninth place in Serie A.

Despite being friends with club owner Aurelio De Laurentiis, Mazzarri has paid the price for not being able to turn around the team’s fortunes. With Napoli facing Barcelona in the last 16 of the UEFA Champions League, the timing of the departure may seem odd.

However, De Laurentiis felt the change was needed to give the fans “something extra.” In comes Francesco Calzona, the 55-year-old Slovakian national team boss. Calzona is no stranger to Napoli, having previously been assistant manager under Maurizio Sarri and Luciano Spalletti.

Calzona’s task will be made harder by also keeping his Slovakia job. Getting Napoli higher up Serie A, while managing two roles will test Calzona. The club will be hoping Calzona can conjure up some magic to revive Napoli’s season. As a former assistant, he knows the set-up.

With the team struggling in 9th, the owners felt Mazzarri was not the long-term solution. All eyes will be on Calzona as he attempts to turn around their fading fortunes.