Walter Mazzarri was sacked as Napoli boss ahead of their Champions League clash against Barcelona following Napoli’s 1-1 draw against Genoa in the absence of Victor Osimhen.
Walter Mazzarri has expressed his disappointment after he was sacked as Napoli's coach ahead of their Champions League clash against Barcelona on Wednesday night.
Walter Mazzarri's Osimhen wish
Mazzarri was given the boot after Napoli played out a 1-1 draw against Genoa in their Serie A clash last Saturday.
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Francesco Calzona: Osimhen gets familiar face as third Napoli manager this season
Francesco Calzona was a part of Luciano Spalletti's Napoli team that included Victor Osimhen before he left to Slovakia.
The 62-year-old had been appointed to replace Rudi Garcia, who was also dismissed this season. But Mazzarri has now left the job after a run of poor results, which has left Napoli in ninth position and 27 points behind runaway leaders Inter Milan.
Although Napoli have since appointed a new manager to replace Mazzarri, the former Torino manager has expressed his disappointment in the club’s decision.
According to La Repubblica via GIFN, Mazzarri was hoping to manage Napoli’s clash against Barcelona at the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium on Wednesday night.
It was believed that the Italian tactician was hoping to have Super Eagles star Victor Osimhen back for the clash after he missed the 1-1 draw against Genoa.
“I was hoping to manage against Barcelona with Victor Osimhen on the pitch,” Mazzari said as per GIFN.
However, Mazzari will not get his wish as Napoli have already appointed Slovakia boss Francesco Calzona as their new manager until the end of the season.
Why Osimhen missed Genoa Clash
Osimhen was in the stands for Napoli’s clash against Genoa as he only returned from the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, helping Nigeria reach the final.
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Victor Osimhen: Is Eagles striker causing Napoli dressing room discontent?
SSC Napoli dressing room has reportedly split over Victor Osimhen's perceived preferential treatment.
The Nigerian striker arrived back at the club tired after playing in all of Nigeria’s seven games at the biennial competition.
There had even been doubts over his availability for the Champions League clash against Barcelona, but he is set to feature as Napoli look to put their season back on track.
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