In a turn of unexpected events, Napoli decided to part ways with their manager Carlo Ancelotti after a poor spell of results in the Serie A and appointed Gennaro Gattuso in his place. However, they have qualified for the round of 16 in the Champions League but sit at the seventh spot in the domestic league.
Ancelotti has been praised for his outings against Liverpool in Europe’s premier football competition, having defeated the Reds 2-0 in the first leg at home in the group stage. Despite his successful outings in Europe, Napoli’s president, Aurelio de Laurentiis decided it will be in the club’s interest if the 60-year-old manager is removed from his duties.
One Of The Best & UnLuckiest Manager In World Football. 😔
— AZR Organization (@AzrOrganization) December 11, 2019
A Manager You Cannot Hate But In End Always Gets Disrespectfully Sacked.. 😕
Don Carlo Ancelotti. :( pic.twitter.com/r1I5z7Sok5
The Italian manager was in his second season in charge of Napoli and has a glorious past attached to his resume. Ancelotti has won the Premier League and FA cup in the 2009-2010 season with Chelsea and is well respected in the footballing circle.
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His trophy cabinet also includes three Champions League trophies – two with AC Milan and one with Real Madrid and given the current state of affairs, the Italian is being linked with jobs at Everton and Arsenal after his sacking.
Gattuso’s first training session in charge. 💪💙 #ForzaNapoliSempre pic.twitter.com/vNbA8hucgX
— Everything Napoli (@NapoliAndNaples) December 11, 2019
Napoli were quick to react and went straight to AC Milan’s former manager, Gennaro Gattuso in their time of need. Gattuso has played under the 60-year-old manager during their time together at AC Milan back in 2007-2008.
Gattuso has expressed nothing but gratitude for Ancelotti after taking over the reins. "He is like a father to me. He's always been close to me and supported me. He's won it all and I still have a lot to prove."
Ancelotti’s expulsion might have come across as a shock to many, but the upper echelons of the club seemed to have relied more on finding solutions to Napoli’s domestic troubles rather than focusing on the Champions League. Gattuso might be a panic appointment but it’ll all come together if the 41-year-old manages to turn things around in the second half of the season.
Feature image courtesy: AFP/ GIUSEPPE CACACE
