Napoli Hires Gennaro Gattuso to Replace Carlo Ancelotti

Gattuso replaces his former coach, as he spent eight of his 13 years as a player for AC Milan under Ancelotti.

NAPLES, Italy (AP) Napoli hired former AC Milan coach Gennaro Gattuso on Wednesday, a day after sacking Carlo Ancelotti.

The 60-year-old Ancelotti was fired less than two hours after Napoli beat Genk 4-0 to progress to the last 16 of the Champions League and end a nine-match winless run.

Gattuso replaces his former coach, as he spent eight of his 13 years as a player for AC Milan under Ancelotti.

Napoli confirmed the news on Twitter, and club president Aurelio De Laurentiis also posted a message on the social media site, using the former midfielder's nickname in writing: ''Welcome Rino.''

🎙 #Gattuso: "It's embarrassing to see Napoli where we currently are in the table."#WelcomeGattuso

💙 #ForzaNapoliSempre pic.twitter.com/wmr3hUbs7F

— Official SSC Napoli (@en_sscnapoli) December 11, 2019

The 41-year-old Gattuso left Milan by mutual consent at the end of last season after a fifth-place finish meant the Rossoneri missed out on the Champions League.

The former Italy and Milan midfielder was promoted from youth-team coach in November 2017 to replace Vincenzo Montella and guided the team to sixth place in Serie A in his first season.