Serie A champions Napoli have announced the appointment of Francesco Calzona as the team’s new head coach following the dismissal of Walter Mazzarri on Monday.

“Francesco Calzona is our new coach. Welcome, Mister!” the Italian club where Nigeria’s Victor Osimhen ply his trade said in a statement on social media on Monday.

Sitting ninth on the league table and 27 points off the top of the standings, club owner and president Aurelio De Laurentiis has decided to sack Mazzarri, who was appointed as the manager of the club less than four months ago, paving the way for Calzona to take over.

“I thank Walter Mazzarri, a friend of the De Laurentiis family and of Napoli, for supporting the team in a complex moment. It will remain in the hearts of Neapolitans and our family,” De Laurentiis said in an earlier statement.

Calzona, who last managed the Slovakia national team before his return to Napoli as head coach, is expected to be on the touchline for the club’s UEFA Champions League knockout game against Barcelona on Wednesday.

The 55-year-old is not a new figure at Napoli. He served as the club’s assistant manager between 2015-2018 and the technical coach between 2021 and 2022.

“Welcome back to Francesco Calzona, who has already worked with us with both Sarri and Spalletti,” De Laurentiis added.