Naples Suffers Defeat and Fires Rudi Garcia
In a disappointing turn of events, Naples faced a defeat at home against Empoli (0-1) during the 12th day of Serie A. This loss has had a significant impact on their position in the standings. Consequently, Rudi Garcia, the team’s coach, has been immediately dismissed, as reported by Gazzetta dello Sport. While Igor Tudor remains the top contender for the position, there are also talks of Fabio Cannavaro entering the fray.
It has been a challenging week for Napoli. After being held to a draw by Union Berlin in the Champions League, despite the latter’s twelve consecutive defeats, the Neapolitans suffered another setback on Sunday. They were defeated at home by Empoli, who currently sits at the 19th position in Serie A (0-1). This defeat marks the team’s third loss of the season and ultimately led to Rudi Garcia’s dismissal. His position on the bench had been under threat for several weeks. Aurelio De Laurentiis, the club’s president, has called for a crisis meeting in response to this situation. Rudi Garcia will not be leading Wednesday’s session.
Potential Replacements: Cannavaro and Tudor
Following this defeat, Gazzetta dello Sport has already mentioned a potential replacement for the French manager. Fabio Cannavaro, the former Italian defender and Ballon d’Or winner in 2006, is being considered. Cannavaro was present in the stands of the Diego Armando Maradona stadium and is highly regarded by Aurelio de Laurentiis, the president of Napoli. Cannavaro’s most recent coaching experience was with Benevento from September 2022 to February 2023. However, his tenure was challenging, with only three wins in 17 matches. The club eventually finished in last position and was relegated to Serie C (third division).
Another candidate being explored by Napoli is Igor Tudor. The track leading to Antonio Conte as a potential replacement seems to have been definitively abandoned for almost a month. Tudor, a former coach of OM, is currently available and has a good understanding of Serie A. He left a positive impression during his freelance work at Hellas Verona in the 2021-2022 season. Additionally, his strong character is highly appreciated as the Neapolitan group aims to regain their momentum.
2 Responses
“Napoli’s home defeat is undoubtedly a blow to their aspirations, prompting them to explore new managerial options to revive their season. Finding a capable leader will be crucial in steering the team back to success on their home turf.”
“Napoli’s disappointing home defeat highlights the need for a fresh managerial approach. It’s time for the club to explore new options that can revive their spirit and bring back the winning culture.”