As if the past never happened: Mazzarri has to prove himself to Napoli all over again

Despite leading the club in the past, the man who replaced Rudi Garcia has seven months to prove he's the right man to stay in the long term. Walter Mazzarri will face challenges to persuade the management he should be in the role next season. Although Mazzarri's contract with Napoli is valid until 30 June 2024, it seems that he already intends to start a new cycle at the club, similar to the one he had between 2009 and 2013. Well, if he doesn't - he'll be gone soon.

Napoli sack Garcia and appoint former coach Mazzarri

Mazzarri immediately accepted the chance to return to the side he previously coached for four years, where he had tremendous success. At Napoli, he won the Coppa Italian in 2012 (the first trophy of the Aurelio De Laurentiis era), qualified for the UEFA Champions League group stages twice, finishing third in Serie A and then in second place in his last season at the club. Since then, Mazzarri has coached Inter, Watford, Torino and Cagliari.

The 62-year-old coach will have seven months and four competitions to demonstrate his abilities and convince president De Laurentiis to keep him as the team's coach. The first challenge will be to take Napoli to the Champions League round of 16 in the upcoming two group stage matches, against Real Madrid away and Braga at the Maradona Stadium. Additionally, as early as January, he will have the opportunity to win the Italian Supercup, erasing the disappointment in Beijing in 2012. Starting in December, the race for the Coppa Italia will also begin, a trophy already won eleven years ago in an unforgettable final against Juventus in Rome. If Napoli not only secures a place in the Champions League but also manages to enter the Serie A title race, Mazzarri would have significant leverage to remain the team's coach in the following season.

The Tuscan spoke to fans waiting to greet him outside the Grand Hotel Serapide in Naples.

"First impressions? I'm tired! I haven't slept for two days! Besides that, everything is beautiful, as usual."

He better get some rest because the fans will demand results straight away. So, how will Mazzarri's Napoli play? Many are asking themselves this question now, especially considering that the Tuscan coach has almost always used a three-man defence throughout his career. The experienced tactician is unlikely to stray from the 'Spalletti-style' formation, which he spoke highly of just a few weeks ago - when few would have predicted his return to Naples.

"I've never been able to play the 4-3-3 because I didn't have the right players. Last year, Napoli found an incredible chemistry. They played beautiful football. The 4-3-3, with all the movements on the right and left, full-backs who sometimes, instead of widening, built from inside. In short, many innovations, and Napoli assimilated them better than others."

Therefore, at least initially, Mazzarri might rely on a tested eleven, with Meret in goal, Di Lorenzo, Rrahmani, Juan Jesus (whom he's already coached during their time together at Inter) or Natan, and Olivera in defence (Mario Rui will be out for a few weeks). Then there are Anguissa, Lobotka, and Zielinski in midfield, with the tested attacking line of Politano, Osimhen and Kavaratskhelia.

There might also be the possibility, perhaps during the game, to switch to a 3-4-3 formation, with three of Rrahmani, Natan, Juan Jesus, and Ostigard in defence, Di Lorenzo, Lobotka, Anguissa, and Olivera in midfield, and Politano, Osimhen, and Kvaratskhelia upfront.

There are no past glories in modern football. Just look at Urs Fischer. The Swiss coach did terrific things for Union Berlin but had to admit he needed to depart the Bundesliga club. And Mazzarri's wins in Naples don't matter today. It's all about the current season.