San Siro forms the backdrop for Sunday’s mouth-watering Serie A encounter between Milan and Napoli. Traveling president Aurelio De Laurentiis could use the occasion to open discussions with Stefano Pioli over a potential summer switch to Naples.
According to La Repubblica (via PianetaMilan), the under-pressure Milan manager is among the most realistic options to replace Walter Mazzarri at Napoli. The veteran’s interim spell at the Diego Maradona Stadium has not gone to plan, with the reigning champions still locked out of the top four.
Mazzarri is unlikely to stay at Napoli beyond the summer, even if he leads the southern giants to a coveted Champions League finish. De Laurentiis is already in the market for a new manager, and Pioli seems to have caught his eye.
Widely expected to halt his association with Milan at the end of the season, the Scudetto-winning manager would be a decent option for Napoli. Despite refusing to comment on his future in the build-up to Sunday’s showdown, Pioli seems close to leaving the San Siro.
Antonio Conte, Thiago Motta, and Julen Lopetegui are among the candidates to take his place in the dugout. If Rossoneri set him free, Napoli could be an attractive destination despite their collapse following a triumphant 2022/23 Serie A season.
But for now, Napoli and Pioli are on the opposing sides, with Milan looking to extend their eight-game unbeaten league run at the expense of Partenopei’s mini-revival. The visitors have avoided defeat in their last three Serie A matches to climb to within striking distance of fourth-placed Atalanta.
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