Gennaro Gattuso says it was an “easy” decision to take the Napoli job as he hopes to give fans “determination, grit but also good football”.
Gattuso was officially unveiled as Napoli’s new coach on Wednesday evening, but he had only words of praise for Carlo Ancelotti, who managed the ex-Italy midfielder at Milan and was sacked yesterday.
“It was an easy decision,” began the 41-year-old at a press conference.
Gennaro Gattuso says it was an “easy” decision to take the Napoli job as he hopes to give fans “determination, grit but also good football”.
Gattuso was officially unveiled as Napoli’s new coach on Wednesday evening, but he had only words of praise for Carlo Ancelotti, who managed the ex-Italy midfielder at Milan and was sacked yesterday.
“It was an easy decision,” began the 41-year-old at a press conference.
“Napoli have been a leading club in Italy and Europe for many years. They are going through difficult times now, but most of the players, a good 90 percent, are functional to the type of football I want to play.
“I tell no lies. The first time I saw the President was on Sunday, I travelled to the FilmAuro offices [in Rome] and took a six-hour car journey each way, because otherwise you’d catch me on the train or plane.
“I wanted to call Carlo last night, but I knew he was with his family. We spoke this morning.
“It was not an easy couple of days for me, as I knew that I had to clarify my decision with Carlo and also speak to the staff.
“Yet again, Carlo proved himself a wonderful person today. He was like a father for me, I had over 300 games with him as coach.
“I have always called him for advice during moments of difficulty in this new stage of my career and he was always very kind. He confirmed that today, he told me where the team can improve and once again showed himself to be a great man.”
“I felt it wasn’t right to call Carlo before such a fundamental game in the Champions League and enter that kind of conversation. I think I did the right thing to hold off.”
“He was very open, we talked and I keep that to myself. It was very, very important for me to hear what he said.”
The Partenopei remain without a win in Serie A since October, and Rino warned there would be no more “beating around the bush”.
“Please do not make comparisons, because Ancelotti has won everything in his career. I am 41 years old, I have much to prove and hope to reach only 10 per cent of what he achieved in his career.”
“The objective is Europe, there’s no beating around the bush. It’s going to be difficult, we are not in a positive period right now, but this is a club that cannot miss out on Europe. We hope to get back the points we are lacking.
“There are two games until the Christmas break and we have to get going. This is a team that is obliged to command games and play a certain style of football.
“When you talk about a team, it’s not just about what a coach can give. It is my job to help the team and the club give their best.
“I have to focus on how we can emerge from the problem that emerged over the last two months.
“I think we need to show determination, grit, but also play good quality football, something Napoli have done for years, and try to continue along that path.”