In a surprising mid-season move, Napoli has parted ways with head coach Rudi Garcia after 16 games, appointing former manager Walter Mazzarri to take the reins until the season’s end. Garcia, the Frenchman who assumed the role in June, exits with Napoli trailing league leaders Inter Milan by 10 points.
Walter Mazzarri, 62, returns to Napoli after a stint in the Premier League with Watford in 2016-17. Notably, Mazzarri previously managed Napoli from 2009 to 2013, securing significant achievements, including the club’s first trophy in two decades—the 2012 Copa Italia, where they triumphed over undefeated league champions Juventus in the final. Under Mazzarri’s guidance, Napoli also clinched a second-place finish in Serie A and earned a coveted spot in the Champions League.
Garcia’s tenure, following Luciano Spalletti’s departure last season, has seen Napoli currently placed fourth in the table. A recent setback against 17th-placed Empoli, resulting in a record of eight wins, four draws, and four defeats under Garcia, prompted the managerial switch.
As Napoli navigates this transition, stay tuned for updates on how Mazzarri aims to reshape the team’s performance in the remainder of the season.
