Recently sacked Napoli coach, Walter Mazzarri, has revealed that the impact of Super Eagles striker, Victor Osimhen, on the Napoli team could have afforded him more time at the club before he was sacked this week.
Osimhen’s injury and his absence during the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Ivory Coast prevented him from being available for selection by manager, playing only eight games under Mazzarri.
In that time, Napoli struggled without their talisman, as they recorded just three wins from nine games, and since his return, he hasn’t played due to fitness.
In a report published by La Repubblica, the former Cagliari coach wished he had Osimhen to face Barcelona in Napoli’s UEFA Champions League round of 16 tie to buy him a bit of time.
While talking to Repubblica, Mazzarri said: “I was hoping to manage against Barcelona with Victor Osimhen on the pitch.”
Recall that Osimhen led Napoli’s first Scudetto charge in 33 years last season. He scored 25 goals and also won the Serie A Golden Boot.
Mazzarri became the second managerial casualty of Napoli just three months after he took over from Rudi Garcia.
The 62-year-old tactician was appointed as the Gli Azzurri boss in November 2023 after a poor start to the season under Garcia. Osimhen was battling with a hamstring injury when he arrived.
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Slovakia’s Francesco Calzona has now been appointed as the head coach of Napoli. He will be in charge till the end of the season.
