Fabio Cannavaro suggested it was ‘appropriate’ that he be named the next Napoli coach and gave his thoughts on the ‘very difficult’ situation at the club.
The Partenopei have not managed to turn things around under short-term coach Walter Mazzarri, winning just one of their last six Serie A outings, results which’ve seen the defending champions fall to ninth in the league table.
Napoli are now seemingly looking around for their next long-term coach following the Rudi Garcia misstep, having reportedly held talks with Antonio Conte recently, and could make a change in the coming weeks.
Speaking on pages two to nine of today’s Tuttosport, Cannavaro first discussed the idea of him becoming the next long-term Napoli coach.
“It’s about time, eh! It seems appropriate to me, I’m ready. But it’s the president who decides and, honestly, I haven’t received any messages to that effect.
“The only real, concrete contact was with Besiktas. In the end, however, just a few days ago, they opted for Fernando Santos, the former Portugal coach.”
“The situation is very difficult at Napoli. After Spalletti, an extraordinarily meticulous coach, it didn’t work.
“And the departures of Kim and Giuntoli also had an impact. 22 points less than a year ago is an enormity, rabid fans…”
He gave his thoughts on the first half of this Serie A season.
“I’d say that it’s a much more attractive and exciting season than last year, with two teams very close on points at the end of the first half. A conspicuous and deserved advantage over all the other competitors, whereas Milan look to escape from the chasers.”
The 2006 World Cup winner spoke about the title race between Inter and Juventus.
“Good question. In my opinion, Inter are superior in terms of players, they have a more complete and deeper team, they show off good attacking football, they have the league’s top scorer in Lautaro, who has scored 16 goals and provided four assists in 17 games.
“They’re the team that boast by far the best attack as well as the best defence. Juve sold many players, signing very few, with minimal loans because the club operated according to a precise policy of cuts after years where a lot of money had been spent.
“However, the team, after a difficult start, lost only once against Sassuolo, just like Inter, and now they are there, just two points behind.
“It’s not a coincidence, it’s part of the Juventus DNA. Warrior spirit, indomitable. Always believe in it. Until the end, until the referee blows his whistle three times.”
Cannavaro discussed the belief that Simone Inzaghi’s teams usually lose steam in this period of the season.
“I think that the next few months will be decisive, when the Champions League starts again which Juve cannot play due to disqualification. There will be a psychophysical bump for the Nerazzurri.
“Although it shouldn’t be forgotten that reaching the Round of 16, etc., is in any case an injection of self-esteem.”
He spoke about Juventus’ usage of young players and the star status of Federico Chiesa.
“I saw. But the man who can be decisive in the title fight, capable of making the difference, is Chiesa. He is by far the best Italian player today. If he’s physically fit, it’s difficult to contain him. There is nothing for the opponents.
“Federico knows how to rock matches with his bursts, his burning sprints, his change of pace, his devastating pushes, his goals and his assists. But he must be in good shape, at the top of his game, not affected by physical problems or issues.”
Finally, Cannavaro discussed the work of Dusan Vlahovic.
“If he gets the ball right, he shoots it in. The aerial prowess is a specialty of his. He has a strong physique. Then it also happens that he can spend a long period dry and even end up on the bench. But now he seems to me to have found himself again, in full confidence.”