Napoli Boss Francesco Calzona Takes Responsibility for ‘Catastrophe’

Everyone knew Napoli bigwig Aurelio De Laurentiis took a huge gamble when he made Francesco Calzona the third Napoli manager this season. The tactician with zero experience in senior club management took the reins of a morally devastated squad in the midst of a crisis. 

It was always going to end in a ‘catastrophe.’ That’s how Calzona described his nightmarish short stint at Napoli as last season’s champions head into the Serie A season finale in mid-table, almost certain of missing out on European football. 

“I didn’t expect all these problems, of course. I did not expect a catastrophe that’s not only on the pitch but in general,” Calzona said, as quoted by TMW. 

“I didn’t only have to think about training, as would be my job, but many other things and no one told me anything about that. Maybe I underestimated the situation because I didn’t know it.“

‘Underestimated’ might be a euphemism for the ensuing chaos at Napoli upon his arrival in February. Last night’s 2-2 draw at Fiorentina definitely condemned Partenopei to their worst finish in Serie A since 2008/09, when they had to settle for 12th place. 

Not even a win against Lecce at home on the final day would suffice for Napoli to leapfrog La Viola into eighth if Vincenzo Italiano’s men get the better of Cagliari on the road. De Laurentiis’ gamble didn’t pay off and the southern giants will face the consequences in the summer. 

Victor Osimhen’s imminent departure could open the floodgate, with Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and others ready to follow.