Walter Mazzarri Fired by Napoli and Replaced by Slovakia Boss Francesco Calzona

Manager Walter Mazzarri was fired by Napoli on Monday. Mazzarri was swiftly replaced as Napoli hired Francesco Calzona, who is the current manager of Slovakia.
Walter Mazzarri Fired by Napoli and Replaced by Slovakia Boss Francesco Calzona
Walter Mazzarri Fired by Napoli and Replaced by Slovakia Boss Francesco Calzona /

Manager Walter Mazzarri was fired by Napoli on Monday evening.

The 62-year-old had only been in the role since November but was dismissed after winning just six of his 17 games in charge.

This was Mazzarri's second spell as Napoli boss, having previously held the position between October 2009 and May 2013.

In a club statement this week, Napoli owner Aurelio de Laurentiis thanked Mazzarri for "having helped the team in a tricky period".

Manager Walter Mazzarri pictured in February 2024 shortly before he was fired by Napoli
Manager Walter Mazzarri was fired by Napoli this week :: IMAGO/NurPhoto/Gabriele Maricchiolo

Mazzarri was swiftly replaced as Napoli hired Francesco Calzona, 55, on a short-term deal until the end of the season.

Calzona is no stranger to Napoli. He was the club's assistant manager from 2015 to 2018 and also served as a technical coach during the 2021/22 season.

His first game as Napoli manager will be Wednesday's UEFA Champions League round of 16 first leg clash with Barcelona at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona.

In addition to managing Napoli, Italian Calzona will continue in his role as manager of the Slovakia men's national team.

Slovakia will compete at this summer's Euro 2024 tournament in Germany.

Napoli midfielder Stanislav Lobotka has played regularly under Calzona at international level.

Slovakia manager Francesco Calzona pictured celebrating with his team in November 2023 after they qualified for Euro 2024
Francesco Calzona pictured celebrating with his Slovakia team in November after they qualified for Euro 2024 :: IMAGO/Alex Nicodim

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Robert Summerscales
ROBERT SUMMERSCALES

Robert Summerscales launched FanNation Futbol in February 2022. Rob is a British journalist who previously spent two years on the sports desk at the Daily Mail in London, having earlier served as editor of CaughtOffside.com. He has been to the last two FIFA Men's World Cups, in Russia and Qatar, and is looking forward to completing his hat-trick in North America in 2026.