Former Napoli coach Walter Mazzarri has claimed that Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen’s effect on the Napoli team may have bought him more time at the club before his dismissal on Monday.
Mazzarri became the reigning Italian champions’ second managerial casualty, only three months after succeeding Rudi Garcia.
Mazzarri, 62, was hired as Gli Azzurri’s manager in November following a disappointing start to the season under Garcia. The Super Eagles star had a hamstring issue when he arrived.
Osimhen’s injury, combined with his absence from the Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast, limited his availability to the manager, and he played only eight games under Mazzarri.
Napoli suffered without their talisman during that time, winning only three of nine games, and he has not featured since his comeback owing to fitness concerns.
According to La Repubblica, the former Cagliari coach wishes he could have had Osimhen play against Barcelona in Napoli’s UEFA Champions League round of 16 matches to buy him some time.
“I was hoping to manage against Barcelona with Victor Osimhen on the pitch,” Mazzarri said to La Repubblica in quotes revealed by CN24.
Last season, Osimhen led Napoli to their first Scudetto in 33 years, scoring 25 goals and winning the Serie A Golden Boot.
Francesco Calzona of Slovakia has been appointed head coach of the three-time Serie A champions, and he will remain in charge until the end of the season.
