Exclusive: Behind the scenes of Napoli hiring Calzona

Aurelio De Laurentiis had initially decided to leave Walter Mazzarri in charge of Napoli for a Champions League game against Barcelona but changed his mind on Sunday morning, and Francesco Calzona accepted the Partenopei’s offer in ‘two seconds.’

Calzona was appointed by Napoli on Monday, barely 24 hours before a Champions League meeting with Barcelona at the Stadio Maradona.

The Italian tactician took charge of his first training session on Tuesday afternoon, on the eve of the key European game.

Football Italia transfer expert Matteo Moretto explains via Caught Offside what happened behind the scenes at the Stadio Maradona and when De Laurentiis decided to hire the ex-assistant to Maurizio Sarri and Luciano Spalletti.

ADL had initially decided to give Mazzarri time and let him remain in charge of the team for the game against Barcelona. However, he changed his mind on Sunday, the day after a 1-1 draw against Genoa and decided to call Calzona who accepted his offer in ‘two seconds.’

Calzona called fitness coach Francesco Sinatti who had previously worked with Spalletti at Napoli. Sinatti is currently working as Italy’s fitness coach but has been allowed by the FIGC to cover the same role at the Stadio Maradona until the end of the season.

Calzona has always been ADL’s first choice because he knows the club inside out, having already worked there for a few years.

If things go well, he could stay beyond June, but for now, he’s only signed a contract until the end of the season, and he will take charge of Slovakia’s national team at Euro 2024 next summer.