Walter Mazzarri Returns To Leading Gli Azzurri After Napoli Fires Rudi Garcia

Napoli, last season's Serie A champion, announced the appointment of their former coach, Walter Mazzarri, as a new coach on Tuesday, November 14.

The 62-year-old replaces Rudi Garcia after the defeat to Empoli which saw the reigning champions only collect 21 points from 12 matches. They are 10 points behind the leader of Inter Milan's standings.

Napoli have suffered three defeats in the 12 matches earlier this season, with other defeats suffered at home to Lazio and Fiorentina. They are currently in fourth place, two points adrift of AC Milan who are in third place, and eight points from Juventus in second place.

This unsatisfactory start peaked on Sunday when Napoli lost 0-1 at home to Empoli, where Garcia's tactics failed to produce a positive result against the team who are currently ranked 17th.

Garcia took over Napoli in June after Luciano Spalletti resigned after winning Napoli's first Scudetto since 1990. However, they are now at risk of being knocked out of title competition this season due to poor match records.

In the same period last season, Napoli were unbeaten in Serie A, leading with 10 wins and two draws.

Mazzarri returned to Napoli for the second time after previously handling the team from 2009-2013. He closed his debut season in 2009-10 in sixth place before helping Napoli qualify for the Champions League group stage the following season.

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