After winning the Serie A title, Napoli has faced major setbacks. Discover what’s behind their post-Scudetto struggles and how it’s affecting Italian football.
Napoli’s Post-Scudetto Struggles Explained
Just a year ago, Napoli was on top of the world. Under Luciano Spalletti, the club broke its 33-year title drought by winning the Scudetto in spectacular fashion. Their exciting brand of attacking football, high-pressing tactics, and the magic of Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Victor Osimhen captured hearts not just in Naples but across Europe.
But fast forward to the 2024/25 season, and Napoli finds itself in a completely different reality. With inconsistent results, managerial chaos, and a squad struggling for form, many fans are asking: what went wrong?
Let’s take a deep dive into the factors behind Napoli’s post-Scudetto slump, and explore whether the club can recover and re-establish itself as a dominant force in Italian EW8.
The Legacy of Spalletti – A Hard Act to Follow
Luciano Spalletti’s departure at the end of the 2022/23 season was the first major blow to Napoli’s long-term ambitions. While his decision to take a break from football was understandable, the vacuum it created was difficult to fill.
Spalletti brought:
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Tactical cohesion
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A sense of unity
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Belief in an aggressive attacking philosophy
Replacing a manager of that caliber is never easy — especially when the team is at its peak. Rudi Garcia, his successor, was tasked with continuing that momentum but instead struggled to maintain tactical stability and player motivation.
Coaching Carousel and Tactical Confusion
Napoli’s decision to appoint Rudi Garcia raised eyebrows from the beginning. Despite a decent track record in Ligue 1, Garcia’s tactical ideas did not align with the free-flowing, high-tempo style that defined Napoli’s Scudetto run.
Key problems during Garcia’s tenure:
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A rigid formation that didn’t suit players like Kvaratskhelia
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Lack of pressing intensity
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Poor in-game adjustments
By mid-season, Garcia was sacked. The club then experimented with other coaches, including Walter Mazzarri and Francesco Calzona. This inconsistency at the managerial level disrupted rhythm and confidence in the dressing room, leaving players without a clear identity.
Star Player Fatigue and Injuries
Winning the Scudetto took a toll — physically and mentally. Key players like Osimhen and Kvaratskhelia entered the new season with high expectations, but couldn’t replicate their previous form.
Victor Osimhen:
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Suffered multiple injuries
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Missed key fixtures
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Appeared mentally drained from contract speculation and transfer rumors
Kvaratskhelia:
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Marked more tightly by defenders this season
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Struggled with role changes under new managers
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Dropped in goal contributions and confidence
Without their talismanic attackers at peak form, Napoli’s football lacked the cutting edge that terrified Serie A defenses just a season earlier.
Midfield and Defensive Regression
One of Napoli’s strengths during their title-winning campaign was midfield dominance. The trio of Zambo Anguissa, Stanislav Lobotka, and Piotr Zieliński controlled games with energy and precision. In 2024/25, however, they’ve looked a step slower.
Contributing factors:
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Fatigue from back-to-back seasons
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Lack of quality depth in the squad
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Zieliński’s uncertainty due to contract talks
Defensively, Napoli lost Kim Min-jae to Bayern Munich — a massive blow. His replacement, Natan, has shown promise but lacks Kim’s physicality and composure. As a result, the backline has conceded more goals and appeared disorganized during transitions.
Transfer Market Mismanagement
Winning a title often triggers change. Napoli’s board had the opportunity to reinforce the squad in the summer window, but instead made some questionable decisions.
Missed opportunities:
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No proven replacement for Kim Min-jae
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Lack of attacking reinforcements behind Osimhen
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Limited midfield depth
Rather than building on their success, Napoli appeared reactive and conservative in the market. With other Serie A rivals strengthening, the club found itself falling behind in both domestic and European football.
Mentality and Pressure: The Weight of Expectations
One of the hidden challenges after winning a league title is psychological. Suddenly, every opponent plays harder. Every mistake is magnified. Napoli went from being the hunters to the hunted — and the pressure was visible.
Signs of mental decline:
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Sloppy errors in key matches
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Lack of urgency against smaller teams
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Players publicly expressing frustration
The joy and freedom of the 2022/23 season were replaced by pressure and anxiety. Without a strong leader like Spalletti to guide the team emotionally, this pressure mounted and led to underperformance.
Serie A Is Simply More Competitive
It’s important to acknowledge that the level of competition in Serie A has increased. Juventus has stabilized. Inter Milan looks stronger than ever. AC Milan has added depth. Even clubs like Bologna, Fiorentina, and Atalanta are playing aggressive, high-quality football.
Napoli’s drop is partially a result of other clubs raising their game. There is no longer an obvious “top two or three” — the league has become a true battleground.
Fan Reaction and Club Atmosphere
The Napoli faithful, known for their passionate support, have been vocal in their disappointment. While the fanbase understands the ups and downs of football, frustration has grown over the club’s perceived lack of planning and leadership.
Stadio Diego Armando Maradona, once a fortress, has felt more tense than triumphant. Protests against ownership and criticism of De Laurentiis’ decisions have also added to the toxic atmosphere surrounding the club.
Can Napoli Turn It Around?
Despite a challenging season, all is not lost for Napoli. The club still possesses a talented core. Osimhen, Kvaratskhelia, Di Lorenzo, and Lobotka remain top-class players. If the club can secure a visionary manager, make bold moves in the transfer window, and reset mentally, a return to the top isn’t far-fetched.
Key steps for recovery:
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Hire a manager with a long-term tactical vision
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Reinforce defense and midfield in the transfer window
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Clear up contract situations to avoid dressing room distractions
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Reignite the energy and chemistry that defined the Scudetto season
Napoli’s climb back will require more than just tactics — it will demand identity, belief, and smart football planning.
Final Thoughts
Napoli’s post-Scudetto struggles are a combination of managerial missteps, star player fatigue, defensive weaknesses, and a shifting competitive landscape in Serie A. The team that once captured the imagination of the football world with fearless attacking play now faces the hard reality of sustaining success.
However, setbacks are part of every champion’s journey. The question is no longer “What happened to Napoli?” but “What will they do next?”
Support the Game – Support Football
Whether you’re a Napoli fan or just a lover of the beautiful game, now is the time to support clubs during their toughest moments. The highs and lows of the sport are what make it beautiful. Stay passionate, stay loyal, and keep celebrating world-class football.
Keep supporting. Keep believing. Keep loving football.
