‘Thank you mister… I met a special person’: Napoli captain Lorenzo Insigne leads tributes to Carlo Ancelotti despite previously admitting to having rows with sacked boss
- Carlo Ancelotti was sacked as Napoli manager despite a 4-0 victory on Tuesday
- The Italian had been under mounting pressure following civil war within the club
- Napoli players have paid tribute to their former boss by posting on social media
Napoli skipper Lorenzo Insigne has led the tributes to Carlo Ancelotti after he was sacked by the club on Tuesday night.
The 60-year-old was dismissed just hours after the Serie A side booked their place in the last 16 of the Champions League.
Napoli players have paid tribute to their former manager, including captain Insigne despite previously admitting he had rows with Ancelotti.
Carlo Ancelotti was sacked as Napoli manager despite a 4-0 victory on Tuesday night
Napoli players have paid tribute to their former manager following his dismissal
‘My rapport with Ancelotti is a bit odd as at times,’ the forward told Rai Sport in October. ‘We have had rows, but that’s all down to our respective personalities.’
On Wednesday morning, Insigne wrote on his Instagram page: ‘Thank you mister it was an honour to have worked with you and your staff. In these two years I met a special person. I wish you the best!’
Napoli midfielder Fabian Ruiz said: ‘Mister thank you for all you have done, you have been a special person for me, I wish you the best, wherever you go you deserve the best. A strong hug and good luck.’
While Allan also uploaded a post on to Instagram, he wrote: ‘You have been a special person, much more than a coach … I thank you for all you have done in almost two years together … I wish you and all the staff good luck.’
Ancelotti, who joined the club in May 2018, had been under mounting pressure following a civil war between owner Aurelio De Laurentiis and the first team squad and the decision was made late on Tuesday night to call time on Ancelotti’s reign.
Defender Kalidou Koulibaly thanked the Italian, he wrote on social media: Gorgeous person, top professional: a privilege to have worked with you. Thanks @mrancelotti. A wonderful person and a first class professional: it is a privilege to have worked with you. Thanks mister wonderful wonderful wonderful wonderful wonderful wonderful wonderful wonderful wonderful Thank you, mister.’
Arkadiusz Milik, Kostas Manolas and Hirving Lozano also expressed gratitude to Ancelotti.
Milik said: ‘Thank you mister for the support you gave me and for making me grow as a footballer and as a man. I wish you the best.’
Manolas wrote: ‘Thank you very much for all you did for me, for Naples. It was an honor to have you as my coach!
While Lozano posted on Instagram: ‘Nobody crosses by chance, people enter your life for a reason, for a season or for a lifetime. I thank football for giving me the opportunity to meet you and learn from you. I wish you much success! #MisterAncelotti @mrancelotti’
Former AC Milan manager Gennaro Gattuso is expected to replace Ancelotti in the hotseat at Napoli.
Former AC Milan manager Gennarro Gattuso is expected to replace Ancelotti in the hotseat