Considering the Current Managerial Doubts, Can Napoli Retain the Serie A Title in 2023/24?

Luciano Spalletti was a managerial magician for SSC Napoli. Mazzari, Sarri and Ancelotti had come close, but it was Spalletti who finally brought the Serie A title back to Naples. It had been 33 years since Alberto Bigon led a Diego Maradona-inspired Gli Azzurri to its last title. Two seasons before, Maradona's magical skill had helped Ottavio Bianchi to bring a historic first Scudetto to Naples.

Maradona departed after Napoli's second title. Spalletti left after the third, albeit in more auspicious circumstances than Napoli's previous magician. The 64-year-old has assumed leadership of the Italian national team, with Napoli replacing him with Rudi Garcia.

Garcia's appointment in Naples raised many eyebrows. Although the Frenchman managed Lille to Ligue 1 glory and a Coupe de France win, that was back in 2010/11. He's had limited managerial experience since. At the time, Garcia's recruitment after his dismissal from Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia perplexed and concerned many Partenopei. 

Most of the top betting sites in the UK installed Napoli as the pre-season favourites to hold onto the Serie A title in 2023/24. The defending champion's form in the early part of the season has seen Gli Azzurri drift in the betting over the first eight rounds of fixtures. With Napoli lying fifth in the table, and the recent doubts about its management, bookmakers are now offering 8/1 odds on the unsettled Champions.