Rudi Garcia’s tenure as Napoli manager appears to be on shaky ground, especially after the team’s recent 1-0 loss to Empoli. Napoli’s struggles in defending their Serie A title have led club president Aurelio De Laurentiis to consider a replacement, and reports suggest that former Ballon d’Or winner Fabio Cannavaro is being considered for the role.
De Laurentiis, who was in the director’s box during the Empoli match, was seen alongside Cannavaro, who has previously expressed his admiration for the Napoli managerial position, calling it a ‘dream’ job. Cannavaro, who won the Ballon d’Or in 2006, has managed various clubs, including Al-Ahli, Guangzhou Evergrande, Al-Nassr, Quanjian Tianjin, and, most recently, Benevento, where he was sacked after five months.
While Cannavaro is reportedly a top contender to replace Garcia, another name in the mix is Igor Tudor, an experienced figure in Serie A with a track record of success. Garcia’s struggles stem not only from poor results but also from difficulties in connecting with both fans and players. Star player Victor Osimhen reportedly had issues with Garcia, particularly expressing dissatisfaction with the manager’s tactical decisions and substitutions.
Osimhen, a charismatic leader within the squad, was notably upset when substituted during a match against Bologna, feeling that it undermined his role and confidence. The strained relationship between Garcia and Osimhen adds to the growing discontent within the squad, mirroring Garcia’s reported fallout with Cristiano Ronaldo during his time at Al-Nassr.
With the team’s lackluster performances and internal conflicts, Garcia’s days at Napoli seem numbered, and the prospect of bringing in a figure like Cannavaro is being considered to rejuvenate the team and revive their Serie A campaign.
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