REPORT: Rudi Garcia set to be sacked as Napoli begin talks with manager’s replacement

Napoli manager Rudi Garcia could be set for the sack after it was reported that Napoli had initiated talks with a possible replacement for the French manager.

After claiming the 2022/23 Serie A title, Napoli were expected to kick on to greater success despite the departure of manager Luciano Spaletti, but the team has regressed under Garcia, leading to doubts about the coach’s future.

Napoli have already lost three times in the 2023/24 season after 12 matches, compared to only four defeats throughout the previous campaign, leading to doubts that the Partenopei will be able to mount a reasonable title defence.

The reigning Serie A champions have therefore grown weary of Garcia’s time in charge and have begun looking for a replacement for the former Lille and Marseille manager.

Garcia’s tenure has been troubled by poor results, as well as friction between the manager and some of Napoli’s stars including Nigerian forward Victor Osimhen, and last season’s Serie A MVP Khvicha Kvaratskelia, both of whom have publicly reacted badly to decisions made by the coach.

According to transfer specialist Fabrizio Romano, Napoli have opened talks with former Juventus defender Igor Tudor to replace Garcia, while La Gazzetta dello Sport have also reported that the club will look to another former Old Lady star and 2006 Ballon d’Or winner, Fabio Cannavaro, as their next manager.

Cannavaro, who is a native of Naples, came through Napoli’s youth system before moving on to greater things in his playing career and was last involved in a managerial role as coach of Serie B side Benevento for the 2022/23 season.

Tudor, a former Juventus and Croatia defensive stalwart, is a Serie A icon and has impressed as manager of Hellas Verona and Marseille in recent years.