Benitez appointed as new Napoli coach

Ex-Chelsea manager Rafa Benitez has been unveiled as new coach of Napoli, where he will succeed Walter Mazzari.

The 53-year-old Spaniard has been in charge of Chelsea six months in interim role and led his side to a Europa League title and third Premier League spot. Benitez revealed he is delighted to have joined such an illustrious club, stating: “I am very happy and very satisfied for having committed to a great club with an illustrious heritage like Napoli. 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 extremely excited because I can share my passion for football with the fans of Napoli; it is proven that they are very, very special.

“I look forward to experiencing each and every one of the fans of Napoli and their strong support for this project that we will begin. I’m happy to become a member of that great family of Naples and thus we can share the triumphs together. We will begin from the start as we mean to go on and we will fight from the beginning to achieve success for the fans of SSC Napoli,” he added.

Napoli statement on their official web-site read: “Rafa Benitez is the new coach of Napoli. The agreement was signed today in London. SSC Napoli is happy to welcome a coach so prestigious in their own family. A welcome also to his collaborators.”