Serie A champions Napoli announced on Thursday they had appointed Frenchman Rudi Garcia as coach.
Ex-Roma boss Garcia, 59, takes over from Luciano Spalletti who left his position after guiding the southern club to their first Scudetto in 33 years.
In April, Garcia was sacked by Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia.
“Rudi Garcia has been named as Napoli’s new coach!” Napoli said on social media.
“Welcome, Rudi!” they added.
Later, club president Aurelio De Laurentiis confirmed Garcia’s arrival.
“I have the pleasure of announcing that, after having met and spent time with him during the last 10 days, Mr. Rudi Garcia will be the new coach of Napoli,” De Laurentiis said on Twitter.
“A sincere welcome to him and a big good luck!” he added.
Garcia, who won the French double with Lille in 2011, will have big boots to fill by following 64-year-old Spalletti.
The Italian has departed Naples for a return to his Tuscan vineyard.
One of Garcia’s main tasks will be trying to keep the title-winning outfit together.
Kim Min-jae, whose superb season at centre-back quickly made fans forget Kalidou Koulibaly, has a 50 million euro ($54 million) release clause and Manchester United are reportedly eyeing his signature.
Star striker Victor Osimhen is also a target after netting 30 goals in all competitions including the strike at Udinese which sealed the Scudetto with five matches left in the league campaign.
World Cup News
-
FIFA World Cup
/ 3 days agoSaudi oil giant Aramco agrees major FIFA sponsorship deal
Saudi Arabia’s state oil giant Aramco and world football governing body FIFA on Thursday...
By AFP -
FIFA World Cup
/ 1 month agoSon scores but Thailand hold South Korea in World Cup qualifier
Son Heung-min scored but South Korea were held 1-1 at home by Thailand in...
By AFP -
FIFA World Cup
/ 2 months agoJapan-N. Korea World Cup game to stay in Pyongyang, JFA says
Japan’s World Cup qualifier against North Korea will be played in Pyongyang as planned...
By AFP -
FIFA World Cup
/ 2 months agoGerman ex-FA bosses on trial over World Cup tax evasion
Three German ex-top football officials went on trial on Monday in a 13.7-million-euro ($14.8...
By AFP