Serie A champions Napoli hire Walter Mazzarri as new manager

Serie A champions Napoli have hired Walter Mazzarri as their new head coach after firing Rudi Garcia just four months into his tenure.

Napoli have not been good lately, and recently 17th-placed Empoli defeated them 1-0. De Laurentiis then decided to sack Rudi Garcia, who managed only 16 games after Luciano Spalletti’s departure.

Walter Mazzarri has reportedly signed a contract with Napoli until the end of this season. Surprisingly, he has previously coached the Italian champions between 2009 to 2013.

De Laurentiis announced Mazzarri on Twitter, saying “Welcome back Walter!”.

Napoli came into the season after a historic first Scudetto title since 1990, but the club have failed to defend their crown so far this season.

A 1-0 loss to 17th-placed Empoli was their third in six home games in Serie A and followed a draw with Bundesliga bottom side Union Berlin in the Champions League in midweek.

Napoli appoint Walter Mazzarri as new Napoli manager

The Italian champions now sit in 4th place in the Serie A table with 21 points, 10 points behind league leaders Inter.

The last time Napoli won at their home (Stadio Diego Armando Maradona) was against Udinese on 27 September.

To continue their quest for another Scudetto and a good run in the Champions League, Napoli decided to sack Rudi Garcia and hired Walter Mazzarri.

Mazzarri’s most recent managerial experience came at Cagliari, where he was sacked in May 2022 after eight months in charge with the team in the relegation zone.

Napoli also shortlisted Fabio Cannavaro and Igor Tudor to become Napoli’s new coach, but they decided to go with Mazzarri.

Mazzarri will manage his first game after the international break as his side will face Atalanta away from home.