Staff Reporter.
@ReutersPhoto.
Napoli have sacked manager Walter Mazzarri after just three months in charge and replaced him with Slovakia boss Francesco Calzona.
Mazzarri succeeded Rudy Garcia in November and departs with the Italian champions ninth in Serie A.
Reports in Italy say Calzona has signed a contract until the end of the season and will remain in charge of Slovakia.
Owner Aurelio de Laurentiis thanked Mazzarri for “having helped the team in a tricky period”.
“It’s always painful to sack a friend,” said De Laurentiis in a short interview with Sky Sport on Monday, but Mazzarri won just four of 12 Serie A matches since taking over, collecting 15 points.
That is even less than the 21 that Garcia managed from his 12 league matches in charge, a total that had Napoli fourth when the Frenchman was dismissed.
Napoli host Barcelona in a Champions League last-16 first-leg tie on Wednesday.
Calzona was appointed Slovakia boss in August 2022 and helped the nation qualify for this summer’s European Championship in Germany.
The 55-year-old previously had spells as Napoli assistant under Maurizio Sarri and Luciano Spalletti.
Now Napoli have entrusted a former assistant with salvaging something from this season, a choice which is unlikely to inspire fans who have watched their team crash and burn from the highest of heights.