Napoli are planning to revolutionise things on the Campania coast following their disastrous post Scudetto season, shaking up the squad and management.
The Partenopei shined under Luciano Spalletti last term, flying to their first Scudetto in over three decades, but the wheels quickly came off their project this campaign. Three coaches – Rudi Garcia, Walter Mazzarri and Francesco Calzona have graced the dugout, and none have found consistency.
Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis is aware that a decisive response is needed in the summer following this difficult campaign, and the sale of star striker Victor Osimhen will give him the resources necessary to shake things up.
Napoli revolution
Page 28 of today’s Gazzetta dello Sport details how Napoli will start by building the squad around three key loyalists in the squad – Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Matteo Politano and Stanislav Lobotka. Leading the transfer market will be new sporting director Giovanni Manna.
The Partenopei will then focus on appointing a new head coach, having three in particular on their shortlist – Antonio Conte, Stefano Pioli should he leave Milan and Vincenzo Italiano, who is leaving Fiorentina.
De Laurentiis also wants changes in the Napoli defence, believing two centre backs are needed. Fiorentina’s Lucas Martinez Quarta is considered an important target, and other options include Feyenoord’s Dávid Hancko and Atletico Madrid’s Mario Hermoso.
Regarding a new striker to replace Osimhen, Lille’s Jonathan David and Feyenoord’s Santiago Gimenez are the two most realistic options. For the post Piotr Zielinski, Shakhtar Donetsk’s Georgiy Sudakov is the dream choice.
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