Mazzarri admits job doubt

Napoli manager Walter Mazzarri has admitted his future at the club is in doubt despite helping the club to their best season in two decades.

Mazzarri is in his second season in charge, having joined seven games into the start of last term, and has helped Napoli into a near-guaranteed third placing in the Italian top flight this campaign, as they sit eight points clear of Lazio with three games remaining.

Napoli will travel to Lecce on Sunday, before finishing the season against giants Inter Milan and Juventus, and Mazzarri was sceptical on his job security for next term, despite steering the club to its best finish since winning the Scudetto in the 1989-90 season.

“The fact that I say it’s not granted I will remain in Napoli should be enough to the club. Does (Chelsea manager Carlo) Ancelotti have doubts? Let’s have a look at how many managers are having doubts now, and how many managers will surely remain where they are for next season,” Mazzarri said.

“I think any manager will make his considerations at the end of the season and after that decide whether to remain or not, sometimes out of his own choice, sometimes the club’s choice.”

Mazzarri, however, was more intent on securing third place in the league, as Napoli still require two points to make a formality of their participation in the Champions League next term.

“Our aim tomorrow (Sunday) will be the same as Lecce’s, because first of all we must reach the Champions League, that’s our fundamental aim, so I believe, our motivation to win is even greater than theirs, or equal anyway,” he said.

“The fact that they will have one of their most important players back on the pitch will be a further drive for us, because we know (David) Di Michele is a strong player.”