LAST UPDATE | 10 Dec 2019
CARLO ANCELOTTI HAS been sacked by Napoli despite taking the Serie A side to the last 16 of the Champions League on Tuesday with a 4-0 win over Genk.
“Napoli has decided to relieve Carlo Ancelotti of his role as first team coach,” the Italian side said in a statement.
Tuesday’s win over Genk, which saw Napoli finish second in Group E, one point behind Liverpool, broke a nine-match winless run that came amid dressing room unrest and friction between the club, Ancelotti and the players.
Reports in the Italian press expect his successor to be former AC Milan midfielder and manager Gennaro Gattuso.
The news broke just hours after the side qualified for the Champions League knockout stages with a 4-0 win at home to Genk. Arkadiusz Milik’s hat-trick before Dries Mertens put further gloss on a result that takes the Serie A side into the next stage as runners-up behind Liverpool.
Pressed on his future immediately after the game, Ancelotti stood defiant and refused to resign.
“Resignation? I have never resigned in my life and I never will,” he said. “My future? The team management will make its assessment.
“Tomorrow (Wednesday) there will be a meeting with the president to evaluate the situation as it stands right now.”
The club ultimately made the decision, and did not wait for tomorrow’s meeting. Ancelotti has been linked with the vacant jobs at Arsenal and Everton in the Premier League.
With reporting by Gavin Cooney
