Following the departure of Rafa Benitez to Real Madrid, Napoli needed to sign up a new manager to lead the team after a disastrous 2014-15 season. Former Empoli manager Maurizio Sarri is the chosen one and he will be taking control of the team in the coming days.
Search for a manager is over
The search for a new manager is now over as Maurizio Sarri, who left Empoli last week, will become the new manager of a squad that is in need of new leadership from the bench. It was quite noticeable that the players weren't responding effectively to Rafa's instructions as the season advanced and the elimination against Dnipro in the UEFA Europa League semi finals appeared to have sealed Benitez's fate with the team.
Even though Sarri doesn't have a lot of experience at the top levels, he has a reputation of being a great tactician. He had a great first season with Empoli, getting them promoted them from Serie B in the 2013-14 season and leading them to a 14th place in the Serie A standings this past campaign, while increasing the performance of their players as the tournament advanced.
Napoli president gets his man
Napoli's president Aurelio de Laurentis explained a few days ago that he'd love to have Sarri as the one managing the squad and his wish has now been granted. However, his arrival is a puzzling decision to say the least since he has never coached at one of the so called "bigger clubs", most of his experience is at the lower levels and it remains to be seen how he will adjust to working with players like Gonzalo Higuain and Marek Hamsik.
The San Paolo outfit will be Sarri's 18th team in his career and his second in Serie A after his debut campaign with Empoli this season. Prior to his three-year stint with Gli Azzurris, he also managed at teams like Pescara, Verona, Perugia and Grosetto.