Gattuso's Napoli future looks remote after UEL exit with Sarri waiting
Gennaro Gattuso looks like a boxer who is clinging to the ropes waiting for the final bell… his future at Napoli looks bleak after their Europa League exit, with beloved ex-manager Maurizio Sarri waiting in the wings
- Napoli were dumped out of the Europa League last 32 on Thursday by Granada
- Pressure is mounting on manager Gennaro Gattuso following the latest setback
- Napoli sit seventh in Serie A and have no chance of winning silverware this term
- Gattuso’s relationship with the board is strained and his deal expires this season
- Former Napoli boss Maurizio Sarri would love to return to the club this summer
Thursday was another blotch on a disappointing season for Napoli. The Italian giants were dumped out of the Europa League by Granada losing 3-2 on aggregate in the last 32, despite winning 2-1 at home on the night.
Under-fire boss Gennaro Gattuso looks like a boxer who, after taking so many punches, remains clinging to the ropes in the hope that the final gong will arrive.
His position is under severe scrutiny as he awaits the decision of the club and owner Aurelio De Laurentiis surrounding his future. Waiting in the wings is their former manager Maurizio Sarri.
Gennaro Gattuso’s future at Napoli is appearing increasingly bleak after Thursday’s defeat
They were dumped out of the Europa League last-32 by Granada after losing 3-2 on aggregate
Thursday’s defeat ended Gattuso’s last chance of winning a piece of silverware this season
After losing the Supercoppa Italiana final to Juventus and after being eliminated in the Coppa Italia semi-finals by Atalanta; Thursday’s exit ended all hopes of silverware this season.
Gattuso seems to have lost the grit that characterised his first months on the Napoli bench and is beginning to suffer from the crisis of results that are overwhelming the club – such as Europa League elimination by Granada.
Napoli have 16 matches left in Serie A this season to radically transform their future goals with the club in danger of not qualifying for next term’s Champions League. They currently sit seventh, four points outside the top four – although they have a game in hand.
Gattuso is a rebellious coach who does not understand some of the bureaucratic dynamics of a club like Napoli. His decision of a current press blackout in Italy serves to chase away stress and anxieties from the players’ heads but for the coach it represents a defeat as it prevents him from communicating with the fans.
The 43-year-old was forced to speak before and after Napoli’s Europa League ties to avoid being sanctioned by UEFA and accused Granada of showing a lack of ‘respect’ and fumed if his side played like their Europa League opponents they ‘would have been slaughtered’.
Rather than focus on his own perilous situation he turned the attention to Granada and what he felt were disrespectful tactics.
The under-fire Napoli manager fumed at what he felt were disrespectful tactics by Granada
‘We conceded an absurd goal today, it was three against one in the box,’ Gattuso told Sky Sport Italia.
‘I can’t remember any other chances for Granada. We have to be proud of what we showed.
‘Those who represent us need to make themselves respected a bit more – if an Italian team played like Granada tonight, they would get slaughtered in all the papers.
‘There needs to be respect, today they wasted too much time, three minutes at every opportunity.
‘I’m angry not because we lost, but because there was very little play.’
Napoli came up against a tough side and despite winning in Naples they were eliminated
The rebellious coach has always admitted his flaws and has always analysed the mistakes, showing great sincerity and seriousness in his work along the way.
However, since the 3-1 Serie A defeat at Verona on January 24 the relationship between Gattuso and Napoli has progressively broken down in an irreparable way.
There is a simmering silence within as the lack of communication between club and coach grows.
Gattuso’s contract expires at the end of the season and the temptation for a parting of the ways is becoming more concrete after losing to Granada.
Rafael Benitez and Sarri have both been linked for returns to Napoli should owner De Laurentiis elect to dispose of the former AC Milan midfielder.
‘Right now we need to get the players and the enthusiasm back,’ Gattuso added on Thursday night, keen to assume responsibility for the latest disappointment.
Gattuso’s relationship with Napoli owner Aurelio De Laurentiis and the board has broken down
‘The players need to be calm, it’s me that people should be bothering here.
‘I’m the one who’s most responsible. Now, we have to get to work, it’ll be important for us. The Napoli shirt is a heavy weight, but we need to be calm and give that little bit extra.’
Sarri seems the obvious candidate and loves the club and city – as do they in a deep and sincere way.
The Italian coach left an important mark on the club’s history as well as the culture of Italian and European football.
According to Tuttosport, the 62-year-old would reject any overtures to join this season as he would be in favour to return this summer.
Sarri left a mark on Napoli during his previous spell and is still admired by De Laurentiis and Co
In all likelihood, Napoli will close the season with Gattuso on the bench before thinking about a revolution for 2021-22. A revolution that De Laurentiis is seriously considering entrusting to Maurizio Sarri and his staff.
Sarri is contracted with Juventus, who he was sacked from at the end of last season, until the end of this campaign. His contract at the Italian giants included the option of a third season. If he was to join Napoli instantly, he would save their bitter rivals €7million (£6m) in compensation.
Everyone in Naples has a poster of Sarri’s Napoli in shops, bars and restaurants. He is the prophet of a fascinating football that has made the whole world of football fall in love.
As the relationship with Gattuso falls apart, fond memories of Sarri are stirring once more.
The 62-year-old loves Napoli and the city of the Naples – and had captured the hearts of fans
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