Search
On FM Scout you can chat about Football Manager in real time since 2011. Here are 10 reasons to join!

SSC Napoli - An Italian Powerhouse

Can Mike Bassett take Napoli back to those heady days?
Started on 20 October 2013 by Blue
Latest Reply on 27 September 2023 by Justice
  • POSTS16
  • VIEWS16458
Pages  
Blue's avatar Group Blue
11 yearsEdited

Why Napoli?

For my first (and hopefully only) FM14 story, I've decided I'll go for SSC Napoli of Italy. They're a team I've admired in Serie A for a while now after a couple of good years with some good play and players such as Edinson Cavani and Marek Hamsik. However, Cavani has now left in search of greener pastures in Paris, leaving Napoli with work to do. This summer they did that with their signings of several top-quality players, like Gonzalo Higuain from Real Madrid. This is part of the reason I've gone for them, but also I have a desire to see the Partenopei on top once again.

Who Am I?

I have decided to be a name some of you may know - Mike Bassett. He is a fictional man who took over the England national team in the film in "Mike Bassett England Manager", and took them to the World Cup. Can't be any worse than Steve Maclaren, at any rate. Anyway, he is oddly who I have chosen will be the next great Napoli manager, taking over from Rafa Benitez, sacked for "undisclosed reasons". More of that later!


I hope you will enjoy my Napoli story, and don't forget to leave comments with any feedback or thoughts on my tale!

FORZA NAPOLI!

Quick Links

Good Luck Ben! :D
Good luck this was a team I really want to play with. I will be following with intent :D
It is good to see you back involved with story writing. Good luck for the coming season.
Good Luck, Napoli are fun to manage.
Good luck Benjamin!
Good luck!
The Madridista: Cheers Jason!

wellsy1498: Haha, I won't let you down ;)

Jamesg237: Glad to have you onside James :)

silas1231: Especially with the new signings...

Kane: Technically not my name :P

Walter: Cheers pal!

First update tomorrow, hopefully. Wonder why Benitez got the sack? Wait and find out... it won't disappoint!
Good Luck iv'e started as Napoli too and i'm 1st just after january but i have got some really tough games coming up, i can't believe how good pandev has been for me
Good luck, I loved your last story so I will definitely be following this!
Hullcityrobin: Keep me updated mate!

TVDLC123: You loved my Stoke story? That's a first xD

Rafa Benitez Shown the Exit Door


Former Liverpool and Chelsea manager Rafa Benitez has been unceremoniously sacked by Italian club Napoli after just a month in the job, just a few weeks before the new Serie A season is due to begin. Having taken Chelsea to European success in the Europa League last season, the Spaniard was hired by the owner Aurelio De Laurentis to replace Walter Mazzari, who left for giants Internazionale. However, De Laurentis, famed for being a colourful character, has seen due reason to remove the new gaffer from his position, due to an unknown reason.

Often when the reason isn’t blindingly obvious as to why a manager has been sacked, explanations can be mixed, and often a case of Chinese whispers. Whilst some rumours are saying that Benitez had a major bust-up with captain Paolo Cannavaro over training methods, some rumours are also stating that the 53-year-old was caught in a compromising position with the wife of De Laurentis – something that was always going to be difficult for the club president to overlook.

During his admittedly short tenure in Naples, the former Real Madrid man certainly managed to set up the squad well for the upcoming season. Despite losing star Uruguayan to Paris Saint-Germain (which had been expected for a couple of seasons now), the club brought in some high-quality players, whilst remaining within their financial means. Jose Callejon, Raul Albiol and Gonzalo Higuain are a trio who joined from Real Madrid, along with players such as Dries Mertens joining the ranks of the Serie A club. This has left the club in a strong position, having had players such as the Slovakian Marek Hamsik already in the squad.

A number of names have already been linked with the job in Naples. Jupp Heynckes has reportedly been shortlisted – despite retiring after winning the treble with Bayern Munich at the end of last season, and being replaced with Pep Guardiola. Former Chelsea and West Bromwich Albion manager Roberto Di Matteo has also been labelled a leading contender, as has recently sacked Sunderland manager Paulo Di Canio. However, one shock inclusion is the former England international, Mike Bassett, who has been out of work since leaving his post with the English national team over a decade ago.

Whoever does get appointed will certainly be expected to bring success to the Stadio San Paolo, after a couple of successful years for the Naples team. Whilst Turin side Juventus are still most people’s title favourites, the general consensus is that Napoli could be one of the sides to spring a surprise this season, and are perhaps Juve’s most worthy contenders for the Serie A crown.
We want Basset! :D
Good luck mate...Hope you do well with Napoli, very fun to manage.
2013-10-21 16:44#139016 Blue : Hullcityrobin: Keep me updated mate!

7 games to go and still top of the league, juventus 2 points behind, qtr finals of europa league vs cska, my champs league group was tricky dortmund chelsea and ath madrid. Hopefully finish the season on a high.

You are reading "SSC Napoli - An Italian Powerhouse".

FMS Chat

Stam
hey, just wanted to let you know that we have a fb style chat for our members. login or sign up to start chatting.