NAPOLI AXE MAZZARRI – Calzona named caretaker coach
Napoli have appointed Francesco Calzona as caretaker coach until the end of the season following the sacking of Walter Mazzarri, the Serie A club confirmed.
Mazzarri became the second managerial casualty at the club, following Rudi Garcia’s sacking in November, in a season which has seen their Serie A title defence fall apart since Luciano Spalletti left the club after last season’s Scudetto win.
Calzona previously served as assistant manager at Napoli under Maurizio Sarri and Luciano Spalletti, but left the club in 2022 to take over as manager of Slovakia, who he led to Euro 2024 qualification.
The Slovak Football Association (SFZ) has given permission for Calzona’s temporary return to Napoli, and the national side have two friendly matches in March, against Austria and Norway, before the tournament in Germany which begins in June.
Saturday’s 1-1 draw at home to Genoa leaves Napoli ninth in the standings, and since Mazzarri took over from Garcia last November, things have gone from bad to worse in his second spell at the club, having previously managed there between 2009-2013.
Garcia was sacked after 12 league games, having won six and with the side fourth in the standings, 10 points adrift of leaders Inter Milan.