SSC Napoli

[Carlo Romano]

Tony & MT, this is the move that's always been on the cards except I wanted to see Fabio make it last summer! I think he could've not only made a bigger impact and new beginning with his own game in Napoli had he done that, but also by his presence he could've brought his brother's game along quicker too...instead of staying where he wasn't appreciated. Still, better late than never as they say!

[tonykart]

[tonykart]

Napoli: Buongiorno Buonanotte!

According to reports in Campania, Napoli are hoping to complete a potentially devastating Argentine forward trio by signing young River Plate prodigy Diego Buonanotte.

The diminutive Buonanotte, whose natural position is just behind the strikers, is regarded as one of South America’s most talented young players.

Prior to his recent 20th birthday, the skilful fantasista was named by World Soccer Magazine as one of the 50 most exciting teenagers in the world, and he has been attracting the interest of a host of top European clubs, including Juventus, who have been urged by David Trezeguet to buy him.

However, according to reports in Naples, it is Napoli who are determined to sign Buonanotte in order to complete what would be a fascinating all-Argentine attack including Ezequiel Lavezzi and German Denis.

Napoli have high hopes to break into the Serie A elite, and transfer guru Pierpaolo Marino has once again carried out an impressive transfer campaign so far, signing Denis, Christian Maggio, Leandro Rinaudo, and young starlet Andrea Russotto.

These players join last season's signings Lavezzi, Marek Hamsik and Fabiano Santacroce, and the arrival of Buonanotte would surely crown some highly impressive work by Marino over the past 12 months.

Buonanotte will be on show for Argentina at next month’s Olympic Games in Beijing, along with Lavezzi.

[tonykart]

Calcio Debate: Marino – Best Transfer Guru In Serie A?

Napoli are possibly the fastest rising team in Italian football right now, and one man in particular must take great credit for this – director general Pierpaolo Marino…

It is often said that the strength and beauty of Serie A is not judged by the traditional powerhouses at the top, such as Milan, Inter and Juventus, but by the more romantic outfits in the second tier like Napoli, Fiorentina, Sampdoria and Torino.

These four teams all challenged for honours in the 1980s and early 90s, with the Napoli of Maradona winning two Scudetti, a Coppa Italia and a UEFA Cup. An important component of the Azzurri during the most glorious period of their history was Pierpaolo Marino who, during his two years as sporting director, helped build the team that would historically win its first ever Scudetto in 1987.

Marino returned to Napoli 17 years later, in 2004, to take the post of director general. The club had endured a spectacular fall from grace from the time of Maradona, Careca and Ferrara and, after going bankrupt, now found themselves in Serie C. Along with new President Aurelio De Laurentiis, who re-founded the club, Marino helped mastermind successive promotions in 2006 and 2007, and in their first season back in Serie A since the beginning of the millennium, Napoli finished eighth, just one place outside Europe. In fact, the Partenopei are looking likely to enter the UEFA Cup via the Intertoto Cup.

So how was this all possible?

Well, the most simplistic way of explaining it, is that Marino has made some quite inspired signings. Last season three of the most explosive talents in Serie A were all snapped up in Ezequiel Lavezzi, Marek Hamsik and Fabiano Santacroce. The former has been compared to the great Maradona himself, the latter is regarded by many as Italy’s best young defender, while Hamsik is one of the most complete young midfielders in Europe, with Napoli recently rejecting a €28m bid for the Slovak. The overall cost of these three starlets - €17m. The overall cost of Tiago Mendes, Sergio Almiron and Jean-Alain Boumsong for Juventus - €27m. No wonder so many Juve fans would like to see Alessio Secco replaced by Marino.

The other signings from last season all held up well too at various stages of the campaign; Marcelo Zalayeta, Manuele Blasi, Walter Gargano, and the talented Daniele Mannini. This summer Marino appears to be conducting his transfer business very well too, signing Sampdoria revelation Christian Maggio, Independiente striker German Denis, who by all accounts has been outstanding in pre season, and Palermo’s Leandro Rinaudo. However it is the imminent capture of Italy Under-21 international Andrea Russotto from Bellinzona that proves how Marino has an eye for young talent.

Sometimes football is made to seem way too over-complicated. If a club has a good transfer chief, who knows a good player when he sees one, then gradually a team can be built for the future. This is what has happened at Napoli. However, if a club has a director with a very poor understanding of the game, who wastes money and signs average players, it thus becomes very difficult for the coach.

Marino, who also oversaw the Udinese of Bierhoff and Amoroso during their third placed finish of 1998, is building something really special at Napoli, and while he is in charge of transfers, who is to say that the glory years of the 1980s cannot return in some form?
_______________________________________________________________

I would say so.

[tonykart]

Napoli chief enjoys fan fever

Napoli President Aurelio De Laurentiis is moved by the enthusiasm of the Partenopei’s fans during pre-season. “I can only thank the supporters.â€

[Messinterista]

[tonykart]

I would love to see what Marino could do at a club like Juventus?!

[Bagg10]

[Bagg10]

[Messinterista]

[Messinterista]

Reja hails historic Napoli - Sunday 27 July, 2008

Source: http://www.channel4.com/sport/football_ ... ul27d.html

Edy Reja and his Napoli side are “two games from greatnessâ€

[Carlo Romano]

MT, if I can add...

Bravissimo Napoli e Hamsik!!! There's no need for more!

[Messinterista]

[tonykart]

[Messinterista]

quite a talent...will be snapped up by a bigger club in a few seasons.

[tonykart]

I wish Juventus would have gotten our hands on him last year. He will definately be too expensive for us now.

[Messinterista]

[tonykart]

[tonykart]

Napoli Keen On Juventus Midfielder

Napoli are keen to help Juventus offload unwanted midfielder Sergio Almiron by bringing the player to the San Paolo according to the latest reports in Italy.

The Argentine has been a flop at the Bianconeri and he has never managed to get into Claudio Ranieri’s starting XI following his move from Empoli last year. Juve sent him out on loan to French side Monaco before taking him back this summer.

Almiron now looks likely to leave Turin once again but this time it seems as if he will be staying in Serie A.

Sportmedia set claims that Napoli sporting director, Pierpaolo Marino, has already called the Old Lady to discuss the possibility of taking the midfielder.

The injury to Mariano Bogliacino has left the Partenopei short in the middle and they are considering a replacement before the new season gets under way.

Napoli want to take the player on-loan with the option to buy him permanently next season but Juve are not interested unless the Azzurri throw Marek Hamsik into the deal.

However, this option seems highly unlikely as club president Aurelio De Laurentiis has issued a warning to all clubs after the youngster by insisting he is not for sale.

“Hamsik is not for sale, he is an important part of this club,â€

[red]

I think the article is accurate up until the first mention of Hamsik, at which point it is just talking shit.