Rudi Garcia stated on Thursday that he is “as motivated as ever” after being appointed as coach of Napoli, the reigning Italian champions.
Garcia, 59, replaces Luciano Spalletti, who stepped down after leading the club to their 1st Serie A win in 33 years.
Garcia was sacked by Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al Nassr in April, only months after the five-time Ballon d’Or winner joined the Saudi Arabian club in an agreement for tens of millions of euros.
Taking to his Twitter account, he penned, “What a pleasure to take on the Napoli project. What a please to return to Italy.” He added, “I am as motivated and as ambitious as I have ever been.”
Prior to the club’s announcement on social media, Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis affirmed Garcia’s arrival.
“I have the pleasure of announcing that, after having met and spent time with him during the last 10 days, Mr. Rudi Garcia will be the new coach of Napoli,” De Laurentiis said on Twitter. “A sincere welcome to him and a big good luck!” he added.
Garcia, a fluent Italian speaker, led Roma to Champions League qualifying in 2014 and 2015 after winning the French double with Lille in 2011.
In his homeland, he has also coached Marseille and Lyon.