Napoli Consider Firing Coach Ahead of Barcelona clash
The Italian club is considering its second coaching change of the season, just two days before hosting the Blaugranas in the Champions League.
Italian Walter Mazzarri has failed to turn around the terrible start of his predecessor, Frenchman Rudi Garcia, whom he replaced in November, and Napoli is considering its second coaching change of the season, just two days before facing Barcelona in the Champions League round of 16.
Walter Mazzarri's season hangs by a thread. The recent draw against Genoa (1-1), secured with a goal from Belgian Cyril Ngonge in the last minute, was the trigger for Italian Aurelio De Laurentiis, president of the club, to seriously consider another coaching change, which could be official as early as Monday, according to local media reports.
This situation comes after the poor results of the coach, which don't improve on Garcia's: in 17 games played, he has won only 6, drawn 3, and lost 8, leaving the team ninth in Serie A, 5 points off European places and 9 off the 'Champions'.
Among the defeats, there's a humiliating elimination from the Italian Cup against Frosinone (0-4), the Italian Supercup final, and losses in the domestic championship against Inter, Juventus, Roma, and Milan, their competitors.
The identity crisis that Napoli has been going through since the departure of Italian Luciano Spalletti, the current Italy coach who secured the historic 'Scudetto' last season, is taking its toll in Naples.
On the horizon, as mentioned by sources, is the figure of Italian Francesco Calzona, Slovakia's coach since 2022, who recently secured qualification for the next European Championship.
The coach was part of the coaching staff of Italians Maurizio Sarri and Luciano Spalletti during their respective periods at Napoli, so he knows the dynamics of the club.
De Laurentiis reportedly contacted the Slovak Football Federation to ask Calzona to accept the role of coach for both teams until the end of the season.
If Calzona's arrival is confirmed, he would have one day of training before facing Barcelona in the crucial round of 16 match at the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium this Wednesday.
