Benitez thrilled over Napoli appointment
Chelsea interim manager pledges upholding club’s values.
Rafael Benitez. PHOTO: AFP/FILE
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 29th, 2013.
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 29th, 2013.