Napoli axe Mazzarri, appoint Calzona as interim coach

Napoli have decided to part ways with head coach Walter Mazzarri and appointed Slovakia coach Francesco Calzona for the remainder of the season.

Mazzarri’s return to Napoli after a 10-year absence did not yield the desired results, with the team managing just six wins in 17 games under his guidance.

GistReel had earlier reported that Napoli would likely part ways with the gaffer, before their Champions League knockout clash against Barcelona.

Meanwhile, Napoli President Aurelio De Laurentiis had initially planned to wait until the summer to find a long-term replacement for Mazzarri, reports Football Italia.

However, the team’s continued poor performance has prompted him to make the early change.

This would be the second time in the current season that the Naples club will sack their coach.

Before now, Rudi Garcia was also shown the exit door, after a poor start to the campaign, opening the door for the former boss, Mazzarri.

Meanwhile, Calzona, who also manages the Slovakia national team, will sign a six-month deal with Napoli and lead the squad until the end of the season.

Calzona will reportedly take charge of Napoli’s training session on Tuesday in preparation for the upcoming Champions League match.