Napoli change coach before clash with FC Barcelona

After just three months in the job Walter Mazzarri has been sacked by Napoli just two days before their Champions League last 16 first leg tie against FC Barcelona. The veteran coach was appointed in November as the Serie A champions second manager of the campaign following the dismissal of Frenchman Rudi Garcia. Via their official social media platforms on Monday evening, SSC Napoli also announced that Francesco Calzona will take over with immediate effect. 

Calzona is currently in charge of the Slovakian national team and reports suggest that he will remain in that role and combine it with his work as Napoli coach until the end of the season at least. The new coach is no stranger to the club as he had two separate spells as assistant coach, first under Maurizio Sarri and then Luciano Spalleti.

With the team languishing in ninth place in the league, 27 points behind leaders Inter Milan, the team's defence on their league title is not exactly going to plan. However, Calzona's first job will be to lift his side for his first game in charge which comes against Barça on Wednesday in the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona in Naples, kick off 9pm CET, in the first leg of the Champions League last 16 tie between the two clubs.