With Napoli unable to break out of their slump after the departure of Luciano Spalletti, the club is expected to bring out the big guns in the form of a managerial sacking just four months into the season.
Britain’s Daily Mail reported on the 13th (KST), “There were discussions within the club after Napoli’s 0-1 loss to Empoli. Rudi Garcia could be sacked after just five months in charge,” suggesting that the underperforming Napoli will look to turn things around with a managerial change.
Napoli conceded a late injury-time goal to lose 0-1 to Empoli in the 12th round of the 2023/24 Serie A season at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona in Naples, Italy, on Wednesday. The failure to pick up a point at home leaves Napoli in fourth place with six wins, three draws and 21 points. The gap to leader Inter Milan is a whopping 10 points.레모나토토 도메인
Last season, Napoli secured an early title, never losing ground throughout the season. It had been 33 years since the 1989/90 season and Napoli had only lost four games in 38 matches. This season, however, they have already suffered three defeats after just 12 games. The momentum from last season has completely disappeared.
Defensive insecurity and Garcia’s colorless tactics are the main culprits. The offense is one of the best in the league. They’ve scored 24 goals in 12 games, which is almost two goals per game. It’s also the team with the most goals after Inter Milan (29). The defense, however, is conceding more than a goal per game, with 13 goals in 12 games. That’s twice as many as Inter Milan, who have conceded the fewest (6).
Last season, monster defender Kim Min-jae anchored the back line. They conceded just 28 goals in 38 games, the fewest of any team. However, they haven’t found a replacement since Kim’s departure, and neither new signing Natan nor established center back Leo Oustigor have been in great form. João Jeju is barely back in form after being sidelined by injury.
In particular, the leadership of Garcia, who took over after Spalletti’s departure after leading Napoli’s dugout soccer program, is on the chopping block. The Napoli board had reportedly been discussing Garcia’s dismissal as early as a month ago.
“Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis left the stadium before the final whistle at Empoli,” wrote European soccer journalist Fabrizio Romano, adding that Laurentiis was also unhappy with the situation.
“Unlike Spalletti, who instilled a winning mentality less than two years ago and went on to win a historic title, Garcia has not been able to control the locker room like Spalletti. “Napoli’s locker room is not as solid as it was last season,” explains Garcia’s failure to take control of the locker room.
“Garcia will be leaving Napoli. Igor Tudor, formerly of Olympique Marseille, will be the new coach,” he said, adding that Napoli has already decided on a successor.