Napoli have officially confirmed that Walter Mazzarri has been sacked as head coach and will be replaced by Francesco Calzona. In the wake of the decision, Aurelio De Laurentiis, Napoli’s president, addressed the media outside Hotel Britannique, shedding light on the decisions made by the club.
De Laurentiis, known for his candidness, expressed, “Walter Mazzarri is a friend of the De Laurentiis family and Napoli. It’s a painful goodbye because he was extremely helpful in a time of difficulty. However, we must also consider that we owe more to the fans of Napoli.”
The departure of Mazzarri, a respected figure in Napoli’s footballing history, marked a significant change for the club. De Laurentiis acknowledged the emotional weight of the decision, but emphasized the need for progress and meeting the expectations of the supporters.
“Now, we turn to Calzona, who has previously worked with Sarri and Spalletti, and is familiar with 80% of the players,” De Laurentiis continued. “We must support him without imposing obstacles because we know preparing for a match against Barcelona is always a challenge.”
Calzona’s imminent arrival brings anticipation and hope for a fresh start. De Laurentiis outlined the schedule, stating, “Tomorrow morning at 8:30, Calzona and his team will be here. Then, we will head to Castel Volturno where I will introduce him to the squad. Despite our preference to focus solely on preparation, we’ll have to attend the UEFA press conference.”
Amidst the changes, De Laurentiis also touched upon the departure of Marek Hamšík, a Napoli legend. “Hamšík was very intrigued to work for the team he loves and has brought so much joy to. He has been a true blue flagbearer,” De Laurentiis reminisced, acknowledging Hamšík’s contributions and his enduring legacy within the club.
