Rudi Garcia, Cristiano Ronaldo's former coach at Al Nassr, has been chosen to replace Luciano Spalletti in the Napoli dugout for the upcoming Serie A season, which has surprised many and raised doubts.
Previously, Rudi Garcia arrived in Saudi Arabia to lead Al Nassr in June 2022, but in April 2023, the French coach was dismissed. There were various reasons for this unfortunate outcome, from a string of poor results to his inability to control the dressing room. Garcia also publicly criticized his players following tactical disagreements.
There were rumors of a rift between Rudi and Ronaldo. The media speculated on a rift between Rudi and Cristiano Ronaldo, the most high-profile signing in Al Nassr's history to date. The 59-year-old coach once stated that he preferred to sign Lionel Messi rather than CR7. Garcia also hinted that the Portuguese superstar was not committed to a long-term stay at Al Nassr and would soon return to Europe. Ronaldo himself rarely spoke positively about his former coach in interviews.
First and foremost, it must be acknowledged that Rudi Garcia is a talented coach, as evidenced by his remarkable achievement of leading Lille to the Ligue 1 title in the 2010/11 season with a relatively modest squad. He also guided Olympique Marseille to the UEFA Europa League final in the 2017/18 season (losing 0-3 to Atletico Madrid).
Rudi favors a 4-3-3 system, with an attacking philosophy, always aiming for ball control and direct pressure, which he has applied at various clubs he has managed, from Lille and Roma to Marseille and Lyon. However, not all of Garcia's teams have struck the right balance between attacking and defending. While they may exhibit fiery attacking prowess, they can be vulnerable on the flanks and susceptible to counterattacks.
Attacking football is Garcia's preferred style. It is worth noting that Rudi Garcia often struggles with man-management and lacks the necessary interpersonal skills to reconcile the diverse personalities within his teams.
Napoli's decision to appoint Rudi to the hot seat left vacant by Luciano Spalletti has surprised many, as this coach was not their top target. The reigning Serie A champions had previously targeted Luis Enrique, Antonio Conte, Vincenzo Italiano, Thiago Motta, and Christophe Galtier.
Club president Aurelio De Laurentiis desired a coach who embodies the selfless footballing philosophy that aligns with Napoli's tradition, favoring a 4-3-3 system. Initially, De Laurentiis was not particularly impressed with Rudi Garcia, but he was eventually convinced after listening to the coach's statements and future development plans.
A significant challenge awaits Rudi Garcia in Naples. Furthermore, Rudi is not unfamiliar with the Serie A environment, having previously coached AS Roma from 2013 to 2016. However, the pressure on the 59-year-old coach is immense, as he takes charge of a Napoli side that has just clinched the Scudetto after a 33-year wait and reached the Champions League quarter-finals for the first time. This is compounded by the fact that Garcia will be working under a demanding and eccentric owner like De Laurentiis.
Reaching the pinnacle is difficult, but staying there is even more challenging. Rudi Garcia inherits a substantial legacy left by Luciano Spalletti, and his task is to build upon and further develop it. The French coach must bring fresh ideas to the playing style, so as not to become predictable, and be ready to provide solutions when faced with the daunting task of coping with the departure of key players.
Under immense pressure, will Rudi Garcia be able to stand firm at the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium?
