Napoli sack Mazzarri and hire Calzona just 48 hours before Champions League clash with Barcelona

Aurelio De Laurentiis has once again added a surreal twist to his storied footballing history.

The Napoli president has announced the dismissal of Walter Mazzarri just 48 hours before facing Barcelona in the first leg of the Champions League round of 16.

It’s a move that has left many in disbelief.

How will Napoli prepare for Barcelona and move forward for the rest of the season?

Taking Mazzarri’s place on the bench is Francesco Calzona, born in Vibo Valentia in 1968. Calzona, who previously served as an assistant to Maurizio Sarri and Luciano Spalletti at Napoli, has signed on until the end of the season.

He will also continue his role as the coach of Slovakia. Initially, there were expectations that Marek Hamsik, a club legend, would join Calzona’s staff, but this did not come to fruition.

De Laurentiis expressed his regret over parting ways with Mazzarri, confirming that he remains a close friend.

“Mazzarri is a friend, and it’s always painful to say goodbye to a friend. I thanked him for his willingness to come and help us in a difficult moment,” De Laurentiis described in an official statement.

De Laurentiis then welcomed Calzona back to the club, wishing him luck for the task ahead.

“Napoli and its fans always aspire to something more. We must give space, time, and support to Francesco, who has already worked with us under both Sarri and Spalletti and knows 80 percent of the squad,” De Laurentiis continued.

Mazzarri’s second stint at Napoli, following his first from 2009 to 2013 when he won the Coppa Italia, did not meet expectations.

He replaced an out-of-his-depth Rudi Garcia in November with Napoli in fourth place, 10 points behind Inter. However, he leaves with the team now in ninth place, 27 points off the pace, which is remarkable considering the Naples club are defending champions.

During his tenure, Mazzarri’s overall record was six wins, three draws, and eight defeats in 17 games.