Ciro Ferrara has told new Napoli coach Rafa Benitez that coaching the Azzurri will be harder than coaching Inter.
The Spaniard was fired by Inter after just six months in charge after a disastrous spell in charge of the Nerazzurri. However, he did manage to win the Club World Cup and the Supercoppa Italiana.
“His Inter experience will serve him well even if Naples is something different,” Ferrara said.
“It’s probably an even tougher place in which to work, but a much more exciting place for a coach like him.
“I’m sure that he will settle well and I hope he will be allowed the time necessary to set up the team as he wants.
“Napoli finished in second place this season and to improve would mean first – that won’t be easy.”
He also spoke about the pressures of coaching in Naples a city that is notorious for its passionate fans.
“From a technical point of view the choice of Benitez is absolutely in line with the profile that Napoli wants, especially internationally,” the Italian added. “From that point of view he is a guarantee.
“The city of Naples lives football in a particular way. It is as beautiful as it is hard to work here. There is great pressure and Benitez must therefore not only be good on the pitch, but off it too.”
Finally he spoke about the possible problem of changing from three at the back under Mazzarri to four at the back under Benitez.
“I don’t think that will represent a great problem, but, like always, it all depends on results,” Ferrara added. “If they are not good then the change will be viewed as a failure.”
The former Liverpool and Valencia coach replaced Walter Mazzarri after he left for Inter.
