This archive report was first published on 12 December 2019.
On December 11, 2019, Napoli made a significant move in their coaching lineup, appointing Gennaro Gattuso as their new coach. This decision came after a disappointing two-month period, during which the team went nine matches without a win in all competitions.
Former Italy midfielder Gattuso, 41, will take over from fellow Italian Carlo Ancelotti, who was sacked on Tuesday, just hours after Napoli's 4-0 win over Belgian side Genk in the Champions League.
“Welcome Gattuso,” the club said on its Twitter feed, accompanied by a picture of the new coach.
Ancelotti's dismissal was a result of the team's poor performance, which led to a training camp being imposed on the squad by owner Aurelio De Laurentiis. However, the players broke off the camp halfway through, refusing to stay in the hotel, although they continued to train.
According to Italian media, the players were fined between one quarter and one half of a month's salary, although the club has declined to comment on the reported sanctions.
Gattuso, a World Cup winner in 2006, has a strong coaching background, having spent 13 seasons of his playing career at AC Milan, several of them under Ancelotti. He was appointed Milan coach in November 2017 and left at the end of last season with two years to run on his contract.
