Things are not looking fine for Napoli coach Rudi Garcia as questions continue to mount over the future of Victor Osimhen.
In a rift between coach and player, the player often wins, and Garcia seems to have found out the extent of player power, as his position at the club is under threat.
The threat to his job might originate from an incident with Osimhen early in the season, but without the Nigerian, the Partenopei has struggled with the club mulling over the coach's future.
Recent reports suggest that the club has started preparations to replace Garcia, as talks have been planned talks with Igor Tudor.
Italian sports papers confirm Igor Tudor is Aurelio De Laurentiisβ first candidate to replace Rudi Garcia, who will get sacked and receive full salary until the end of the season. https://t.co/wqjIiM0HU2 #Napoli #Garcia #Tudor #Calcio #SerieA
— Football Italia (@footballitalia) November 13, 2023
Osimhen set for new coach as Napoli lines up talks for Garcia replacement
Several weeks ago, the first signs of a rift between Osimhem and Garcia emerged during their Serie A game against Bologna.
With the Serie A champions looking for goals, Garcia decided to substitute Osimhen, which the Super Eagles striker did not find funny.
It may be the genesis of the problem for Garcia, as Napoli seeks talks with Igor Tudor to replace the former Al Nasr coach.
According to the latest reports, Napoli will talk with Tudor in the coming days.
The reports suggest that except by a twist of fate, Garcia's days in the dugout for Napoli are over.
Who is Igor Tudor?
Igor Tudor is famous for his role as a defender for Juventus between 1998 and 2007.
The Croatian also played for Siena and Hadjuk Split, and he started his managerial career in 2013.
The former Juventus defender, who won two Serie A titles and helped Croatia to a third-place finish at the 1998 FIFA World Cup, started his coaching stint with home town club Hajduk Split.
πNapoli are likely to sack Rudi Garcia today and Igor Tudor has been chosen as the replacement, report Sky Italia. Contacts with Tudor and his agent have taken place and an agreement can be reached soon. #Napoli pic.twitter.com/xw0i0simdR
— π΅ππππππ΅π΄π π ππππππ΅ (@Pelgetofficial) November 13, 2023
He has only one managerial title – the Croatian Cup with Split.
He has also coached several other clubs, including Galatasaray, Udinese and Hellas Verona. He was also an assistant coach at Juventus in the 2020/21 season.
Tudor's last role as coach was at Marseille.
He spent last season with the French Ligue 1 side.
Napoli to discuss with other coaches to manage Osimhen
The 0-1 home defeat to Empoli at the weekend seems to be the tipping point that has seen Garcia staring down the barrel.
With talks scheduled with Igor Tudor, other managers could take over the role of Napoli coach.
Who are the others who could be giving instructions to Osimhen?
Former Napoli and Juventus defender Fabio Cannavaro was in the stands to watch Empoli beat Napoli, and naturally, talks have centred around him as a potential replacement for Garcia.
Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis stormed out of the stadium following the defeat, suggesting he'd had enough.
He could appoint former Italy captain and World Cup winner Cannavaro to lead Osimhen and Co.
In May 2023, Antonio Conte was touted as a replacement for Luciano Spalletti before Garcia got the job.
The clubless former Chelsea manager is also on the cards as a potential replacement for Garcia.
One thing seems certain. Osimhen will be with a new coach shortly.
This article was most recently revised and updated 1 year ago
