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Napoli appoint Gennaro Gattuso as Carlo Ancelotti's replacement

Genarro Gattuso has been appointed the new head coach at Napoli.  The former AC Milan boss succe...



Napoli appoint Gennaro Gattuso...
Soccer

Napoli appoint Gennaro Gattuso as Carlo Ancelotti's replacement

Genarro Gattuso has been appointed the new head coach at Napoli. 

The former AC Milan boss succeeds Carlo Ancelotti who was sacked despite Napoli progressing to the Champions League last-16 with a 4-0 win over Genk.

Despite advancing in Europe, Napoli have struggled domestically this season.

They sit 7th in Serie A following a run of seven games without a win.

Gattuso left his position as AC Milan manager after a disappointing 2018-19 season that saw the Rossoneri finish 5th in Serie A.

The former Milan and Rangers midfielder played under Ancelotti at the San Siro winning a pair of Champions League titles (2003 & 2007) and a Serie A championship under the outgoing Napoli boss.

Speaking following his appointment, Gattuso hailed his former boss saying "[Ancelotti] 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."

The fiery 41-year old says his aim as Napoli boss is to "recoup points and get back into the Champions League positions".

Despite their poor run, Napoli are only 8-points adrift of fourth-placed Cagliari.

Gattuso's first game in charge is at the Stadio San Paolo on Saturday, with Parma providing the opposition. They also face a trip to Sassuolo before a short Christmas break.

He said on Wednesday evening, "We need to work hard, win back points and come through this tricky period."

Napoli have been beset by problems on and off the pitch in recent months.

The club's players openly revolted against a training camp in November following a Champions League draw with Salzburg, a situation which widened the fissures between Ancelotti and club president Aurelio De Laurentiis.

Gattuso appears determined to end such woes, telling the media "It's embarrassing to see Napoli where we currently are in the table."

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Carlo Ancelotti Gennaro Gattuso Napoli Serie A UEFA Champions League