Napoli hired former AC Milan coach Gennaro Gattuso on Wednesday, a day after sacking Carlo Ancelotti.
The 60-year-old Ancelotti was fired less than two hours after Napoli beat Genk 4-0 to progress to the last 16 of the Champions League and end a nine-match winless run.
Gattuso replaces his former coach, as he spent eight of his 13 years as a player for AC Milan under Ancelotti.
FILE - In this Monday, Dec. 9, 2019 filer, Napoli coach Carlo Ancelotti attends a press conference ahead of Tuesday's Champions League, group E soccer match against KRC Genk, in Castel Volturno, near Naples, Italy. Napoli has fired coach Carlo Ancelotti despite qualifying for the Champions League knockout stages. Napoli announced the decision shortly after beating Genk 4-0 to end a nine-match winless run in all competitions and reach the last 16 of the Champions League. Former AC Milan coach Gennaro Gattuso has been touted as his replacement. Napoli is already 17 points behind Serie A leader Inter Milan. (Cesare AbbateANSA via AP, File )
Napoli confirmed the news on Twitter, and club president Aurelio De Laurentiis also posted a message on the social media site, using the former midfielder's nickname in writing: “Welcome Rino.”
The 41-year-old Gattuso left Milan by mutual consent at the end of last season after a fifth-place finish meant the Rossoneri missed out on the Champions League.
The former Italy and Milan midfielder was promoted from youth-team coach in November 2017 to replace Vincenzo Montella and guided the team to sixth place in Serie A in his first season.
More AP soccer: https://apnews.com/Soccer and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports