Napoli is poised for a leadership transition following a period of dissatisfaction with the performance of their current sporting director, Mauro Meluso. The club has undertaken an evaluation process and has identified three prospective candidates to succeed him.
Meluso, 59, assumed the role of sporting director in July last year subsequent to the departure of Cristiano Giuntoli, who vacated the position after Napoli secured the Scudetto, opting to join Juventus instead. Despite Meluso’s prior experience with clubs such as Spezia, Lecce, Cosenza, and Frosinone, he lacked exposure at the highest echelons of football management.
Aurelio De Laurentiis, president of Napoli, has expressed disappointment with Meluso’s tenure and is now strategizing to appoint a new sporting director ahead of the forthcoming season. His objective is to revitalize the team’s performance following a challenging period subsequent to their Scudetto triumph.
According to reports from Calciomercato.com, De Laurentiis does not intend to extend Meluso’s contract as sporting director, although there is potential for him to remain affiliated with the club in a different capacity. De Laurentiis has earmarked three potential successors for the role as the summer approaches.
Leading the shortlist is Pietro Accardi, the current director at Empoli, who had previously been linked with Napoli following Giuntoli’s departure last year. Other contenders being considered include Frederic Massara, formerly associated with AC Milan, and Sean Sogliano from Hellas Verona.