Rafa Benitez came close to working his magic at Napoli last season, but the team has since regressed this campaign.
This has increased rumours about Benitez leaving the club for pastures new. The Spaniard has only added to the rumours by saying that he will announce his future after three months. Benitez came to Napoli last summer after the departure of Walter Mazzarri. Replacing the man who had almost let the club to title success was always going to be difficult, but Benitez has never really achieved the same level of consistency.
Napoli have suffered an embarrassing exit from the Champions League at the group stages this season and will be involved in the Europa League from the knockout stages. Napoli president is not too keen on featuring in the second tier European competition on a regular basis.
Napoli’s position in the league is also not comfortable to suggest that the club will definitely be featuring in the Champions League next season. Just three wins since the middle of November has seen Napoli slip to fifth place in the table, although they remain only one point below the top three.
Even though they have a game in hand, the performances this season have not been consistent enough to suggest that Benitez will continue next season.
“I have a lot of respect for the city and I am a professional. The decision will be made in three months after speaking with [Riccardo] Bigon and the president [Aurelio De Laurentiis], but every week the dialogue to improve and work continues. The only thing I can say is that I will continue to do the most I can for the squad.Nobody is satisfied and that is a sign of growth from the club and the squad.In the end it is positive,” said Benitez.