Benitez thrilled over Napoli appointment

Chelsea interim manager pledges upholding club’s values.

LONDON: Rafael Benitez said yesterday that he was ‘extremely excited’ about his appointment as coach of Napoli, vowing to respect the club’s traditions and ‘very, very special’ supporters.

The 53-year-old Spaniard has signed a two-year contract with the Italian club and succeeds Walter Mazzarri, who has joined one of Benitez’s former clubs, Inter Milan.

Benitez will arrive in southern Italy after a successful but testing season as interim manager of Chelsea.

He faced opposition from the club’s fans following his appointment in November, but led the club to Europa League glory and a third-place finish in the Premier League.

Napoli finished second in Serie A this season, their best finish since a side featuring Diego Maradona won the Italian title in 1990, and Benitez said he was confident of taking the club forward.

“Now that the agreement is confirmed, I can say I am very happy for having committed to a great club with an illustrious heritage like Napoli,” he wrote on his official website. “I understand the history of the city and how the club forms a fundamental part of the culture and traditions of Naples.

“I must confess that I am excited because I can share my passion for football with the fans of Napoli; it is proven that they are very, very special.”

Benitez will officially assume his new role in July this year.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 29^th, 2013.