Former Napoli captain Marek Hamsik has expressed his appreciation for Slovakia coach Francesco Calzona offering him a role on his staff at the Italian club, but revealed he’s not yet ready to return in a coaching capacity.
Calzona, who was an assistant manager at Napoli under Maurizio Sarri and Luciano Spalletti, recently took over as the club’s head coach, marking a return to familiar territory. While Hamsik serves as his assistant with the Slovakian national team, he has opted not to join Calzona at club level.
“I can only thank Calzona for wanting me in his staff,” Hamsik told Sky Sport Italia. “Perhaps in my mind, I am not yet ready to return to Napoli, but there is plenty of time and I hope the doors will always be open for me.”
Hamsik also expressed his disappointment at missing out on a planned reunion with former Napoli manager Walter Mazzarri, who was fired before Calzona’s appointment.
“I am sad for Mazzarri,” Hamsik admitted. “We had a great bond and it’s never good to see things end like this. We did talk, and he wanted me to see him in Naples, but things changed.”
Despite declining the coaching offer, Hamsik remains supportive of Calzona and believes he can bring positive change to Napoli.
“He’s extraordinary,” Hamsik said of Calzona. “He has a strong character, and the lads in the national team love the way he works. If he brings that to Napoli, the Azzurri will improve.”