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Napoli continue to struggle under Rudi Garcia and here are three reasons the Frenchman has to be fired soon
Napoli's title defence has not gotten off to the start they hoped for with just six wins from 12 Serie A games so far and three defeats, just one shy of their entire loss tally from last season.
Their latest result, a disappointing 1-0 loss at home to Empoli ensures that the defending champions will enter the international break sitting at least eight points from the top which could rise to 10 points if Inter wins later on.
The bulk of their problems can be traced back to the managerial change which was forced when title-winning coach Luciano Spalletti opted to step down and then was erroneously replaced by Rudi Garcia.
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21:19 - 20.10.2023
Victor Osimhen: Could the Napoli striker’s injury spell the end for Rudi Garcia?
Another injury sustained by Victor Osimhen on Nigeria duty possibly infuriates Napoli, whose increasing need for results put Rudi Garcia under continued scrutiny.
Napoli have been stuck with that mistake for four months now and things may yet get worse if they don't cut their losses and fire Garcia now!
Here are three concrete reasons for Napoli to sack Rudi Garcia.
3 reasons for Napoli to sack Rudi Garcia
1. Poor home form
Napoli have lost four games this season and all of those losses have come at the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium in Naples.
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Il Partenopei have only won two of their eight games at home this season and are currently on a five-game winless streak on home soil.
In that run, Napoli have lost to Real Madrid, Fiorentina and now Empoli while also drawing games against AC Milan and Union Berlin.
Their last home win was two months ago, a 4-1 thrashing of Udinese in September which does not go a long way in inspiring confidence.
This drop-off is particularly alarming because Napoli had the best home form in Serie A last season as they only dropped 12 points at home in 19 games while this season they have already dropped 11 points in six home games.
2. Failure to get the best out of Napoli stars
From the outside looking in, it never quite looked like Rudi Garcia got a grip on the Napoli dressing room, especially the big-name players.
He has only coached the team for four months and already has public spats with star men, Victor Osimhen and Kvicha Kvartskhelia.
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23:48 - 09.10.2023
Politano joins Osimhen and Kvaratskhelia in rebelling against Rudi Garcia
Rudi Garcia's control over the Napoli dressing room comes into question as Mateo Politano became the latest to publicly disagree with being substituted after Khivcha Kvaratskhelia and Victor Osimhen.
Perhaps as a direct consequence of not taking to the new manager, both Osimhen and Kvaratskhelia have not yet hit their respective levels of excellence from last season.
Reigning Serie A MVP Kvaratskhelia has managed three goals and five assists in 15 games across all competitions this season, numbers that are bad in comparison to his exploits from last season.
Osimhen on the other hand had six goals in 10 games before he got injured, pretty good numbers despite publicly clashing with the manager on his team decisions on more than one occasion this season already.
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A manager who does not get along with the best players on the team is clearly heading for the sack, the entire situation is less than ideal.
3. Napoli can still salvage the season
Napoli have in truth not been all bad so far though, the panic comes in comparison to Spalletti's work last season and that level can still be attained if they bring in a better coach.
The champions are unbeaten away from home this season with the second-best record on the road in Serie A and currently sit fourth on the log which means European football is still attainable.
In fact, a 10-point gap with 26 league games still to play is not exactly insurmountable, getting the right manager in could turn their fortunes around and spark a title charge.
With Antonio Conte available and currently unemployed, the serial Serie A winner is the best choice for Napoli to replace the underperforming Garcia.
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10:32 - 15.10.2023
FOOTBALL Antonio Conte aims brutal dig at Tottenham & Chelsea as he reveals his ideal coaching job
Antonio Conte has claimed that teams only hire him after failing to achieve ‘recent’ success, aiming particular digs at Chelsea, Juventus and Tottenham
Former Chelsea boss Graham Potter has also been linked to the job amongst other great coaches who are currently not engaged and would fit in well in Naples.
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23:00 - 09.10.2023
Report: Graham Potter on shortlist to become Osimhen's new coach
Napoli are reportedly evaluating firing Rudi Garcia, and Graham Potter is said to be on the shortlist of possible replacements.
Hansi Flick was recently fired as German national team boss but his treble-winning exploits at Bayern Munich make him a very attractive candidate for Napoli.
Some other options include Marcelino, Jorge Sampaoli, Julien Lopetegui and in rather unlikely circumstances, Zinedine Zidane.
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Super Eagles striker Osimhen to return to Nigeria amidst ‘personal issues’
Injured Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen is set to leave Napoli for Nigeria according to a club source
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‘I focus on who can play’ — Napoli coach not thinking about injured Osimhen
Napoli coach Rudi Garcia was dismissive of Osimhen's injury talk as he revealed when the Super Eagles striker would return to full fitness
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09:44 - 03.11.2023
Barcelona line up sensational swoop for Victor Osimhen to replace Lewandowski
LaLiga giants Barcelona are reportedly interested in signing Napoli striker Victor Osimhen next summer.
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