Mazzarri´s Napoli future still in doubt

Napoli manager Walter Mazzarri’s future at the club was no clearer after president Aurelio De Laurentiis spoke to the media on Tuesday.

De Laurentiis reinforced the fact that Mazzarri has years left on his contract at the Stadio San Paolo, but also called on the 49-year-old to come forth with any plans to leave the club amidst speculation Juventus are trying to poach him.

Juve have denied making contact with Mazzarri, but De Laurentiis called on his coach to confirm his allegiance to the club.

“Mazzarri has a contract for another two years,” De Laurentiis said.

“These are our plans and for the moment we will carry on like this. He knew Napoli’s plans, so must tell us if he’s changed his mind.”

“He knew full well from the moment he arrived that our plan was for five-year growth. We have a Plan A, and a Plan B, the latter being Champions League qualification.”

“Anyone who works with me must accept setting out plans for the future and ambitious projects.”

De Laurentiis also responded to criticism suggesting he does not pay his players enough, stating emphatically that he would spend big for their European campaign, and he would reward players for results accordingly.

“We also have to stick to the financial fair play strategy, but it’s important to be back in Europe and absolute rubbish to suggest I don’t want to pay big wages,” he said.

“I am also fed up of suggestions I won’t give the players bonuses for reaching the Champions League. They have the bonuses written into their contracts and those who did not receive a promise from me, my generosity went beyond their contracts.”

Napoli still need one more point from their final two games to secure a spot in the Champions League.