Napoli sack Carlo Ancelotti
Three-time Champions League winner Carlo Ancelotti has been sacked by Napoli despite leading the club to the knockout stages of Europe’s premier club competition.
Arkadiusz Milik scored a first-half hat-trick before Dries Mertens capped off a 4-0 win over Genk on Tuesday evening, securing second spot in E unbeaten.
It was a game shrouded by rumours of Ancelotti’s future with some reports claiming the Italian would be taking charge of his final Napoli match.
After the man Ancelotti remained adamant that he would not resign, however, the Italian has now been sacked by the club.
A brief statement released by Napoli read: “SSC Napoli has decided to revoke the role of first team coach from Mr Carlo Ancelotti.
“The rapport of friendship, admiration and reciprocal respect between the club, its President and Carlo Ancelotti remain intact.”
Ancelotti took charge of Napoli in July 2018, replacing Maurizio Sarri who was on his way to Chelsea, and was tasked with continue the good job his compatriot was doing to take the Partenopei up the table.
But Ancelotti found things tough at the Stadio San Paolo, finishing 11 points behind Serie A winners Juventus — despite finishing second again — having been just four off the Bianconeri in Sarri’s final campaign. The Champions League wasn’t any kinder to Ancelotti as Napoli were handed a tough group alongside Liverpool and Paris Saint-Germain.
Winning two and drawing three of their opening five games, Napoli just needed to avoid defeat to Liverpool at Anfield to secure their place in the last-16 of the Champions League, joining group winners Paris Saint-Germain.
But they lost 1-0, spurning numerous choices in the match, and were condemned to third place having scored fewer goals than Liverpool with whom they were tied on points.
From a free-scoring Napoli side to a team whose lack of goals cost them a Champions League knockout place.
his came in contrast to their league record, with only Atalanta scoring more Serie A goals than Napoli in 2018/19.
