“He Doesn’t Understand Football,” Garcia Says of Napoli Chief

Former Napoli coach Rudi Garcia has openly criticized club president Aurelio De Laurentiis for mishandling Victor Osimhen’s contract situation, claiming it caused unnecessary turmoil at the club.

Osimhen, a Nigerian superstar and a pivotal figure in Napoli’s historic Serie A title win last season, has been at the center of controversy over the past year. After leading Napoli to their first Scudetto in 33 years with 26 goals and claiming the league’s Golden Boot, the Super Eagles striker found himself embroiled in transfer drama last summer.

Despite interest from Chelsea and Al-Ahli, who tabled late bids for the striker, De Laurentiis held firm, demanding a €130 million valuation. At the time, Osimhen’s contract was set to expire in 2024, leaving Napoli at risk of losing him for free. A compromise was eventually reached, with the forward signing a one-year extension through 2026.

In an interview with Haber Sari Kirmizi, Garcia didn’t mince words, accusing De Laurentiis of poor judgment. “Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis doesn’t understand football,” Garcia said. “The contracts of Victor Osimhen and Piotr Zielinski should have been resolved much earlier. Instead, one renewed after a long struggle, while the other left for Inter.”

Garcia also revealed tensions during his tenure, blaming the president’s interference in team tactics and management for the club’s decline. “More than half of the players and staff wanted to leave Napoli at that time. De Laurentiis meddled in everything—from tactics to my player preferences. When I told him to stay in his own area, I paid the price.”

Garcia’s sacking preceded a disappointing campaign for Napoli, who finished 10th and failed to qualify for the Champions League. Despite his contract extension, Osimhen’s future remains uncertain, with speculation suggesting a potential summer departure rather than a January move.