Former Premier League boss whose contract was ripped up after one year returns to Champions League giants

FORGOTTEN ex-Premier League boss Walter Mazzarri is the new manager of Napoli.

The Serie A champions are have sacked Rudi Garcia just 16 games into his tenure.

PA:Empics Sport

Walter Mazzarri has re-joined Napoli[/caption]

He replaced title-winning boss Luciano Spalletti following his resignation at the end of last season.

But Napoli have struggled since the Italian national team boss left them and they are already ten points behind top of the table Inter Milan.

Garcia has proved unpopular with many and chiefs in Naples have axe the Frenchman with his replacement given the international break to get settled in.

Former Watford boss Mazzarri has taken over on a short-term deal that runs until the end of the season.

The 62-year-old managed the Hornets during the 2016/17 season before his contract was ripped up after they finished 17th.

Mazzarri is an experienced Italian gaffer, who has had spells in charge of Sampdoria, Inter, Torino and most recently Cagliari.

He returns to the Napoli dugout for a second stint with the club.

The veteran was at the helm from 2009 to 2013, winning the Coppa Italia and coming runners-up in Serie A.

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Napoli had been linked with ex-Marseille boss Igor Tudor but he rejected the club as he was not promised a long-term contract.

They were also rumoured to be interested in Graham Potter and Antonio Conte.