Maurizio Sarri is reportedly on the verge of a dramatic return to Napoli, the club where he cemented his reputation as a tactical innovator.
Napoli's president, Aurelio De Laurentiis, is said to be preparing a lucrative three-year contract to bring the former Chelsea and Juventus manager back to the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona.
Sarri, fondly remembered in Naples for his 'Sarri-ball' philosophy during his first stint from 2015 to 2018, has reportedly expressed great enthusiasm at the prospect of managing the Partenopei once again.
The proposed deal is understood to be for two years, with an additional option for a third season, and is valued at approximately €3.5 million per year, augmented by performance-related bonuses.
This potential appointment coincides with the expected departure of current Napoli manager Antonio Conte, who is reportedly set to leave the club a year before his contract concludes.
Interestingly, this managerial transition echoes a past switch, as Sarri himself had replaced Conte at Chelsea back in 2018, highlighting a cyclical nature in football's top jobs.
Concurrently, Sarri appears to be in the final stages of concluding his tenure at Lazio, a period marked by considerable internal friction and high expectations.
Reports suggest that former Lazio striker Miroslav Klose is being considered as a potential candidate to succeed Sarri at the Roman club, indicating a significant reshuffling in the dugout.
For Sarri, a return to Napoli presents a compelling opportunity to achieve what narrowly eluded him in his previous spell: a Serie A title, the Scudetto, a trophy he has yet to win with the club that first embraced his unique brand of football.
Having already secured the Europa League with Chelsea and a Serie A title with Juventus, adding a Scudetto with Napoli would cap a remarkable managerial career, particularly for a coach who has often been praised for his style over silverware.
