Staff Reporter.
Italian champions Napoli have named Rudi Garcia as their new coach, the Serie A side said on Thursday.
Napoli did not specify the length of Garcia’s contract.
Napoli confirmed the news in a brief statement on their website on Thursday evening.
‘Aurelio de Laurentiis is pleased to announce that Rudi Garcia will be the new coach of Napoli,’ it read. ‘We give him the most sincere welcome and wish him the best of luck.’
Garcia left Al Nassri after being dissatisfied with the performance of his players in a 0-0 draw with Al Feia, supposedly berating the club’s stars in the dressing room at full-time.
The 59-year-old coached Italy’s AS Roma from 2013-16, before moving to French Ligue 1 sides Olympique de Marseille and Olympique Lyonnais.
Former Napoli coach Luciano Spalletti, who led them to their first Italian league title since 1990, asked to take a break from the job for a year.
“When you work from morning to night, some matters tend to mature in your mind, because you have to put this spectacle on all the time,’ he said following the news of his departure.”
“Out of respect for the club, I told De Laurentiis straightaway that I needed to take a year off. ‘I’m a bit tired, and want to spend time with my daughter.”
Compiled by Lehlohonolo Lehana.