Manna: ‘Napoli will be ready in January, did not spend wisely last season’

NAPLES, ITALY - JULY 14: Giovanni Manna SSC Napoli sports director as Massimiliano Allegri is unveiled as the new SSC Napoli head coach at Teatro di San Carlo on July 14, 2026 in Naples, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images)

Napoli director Giovanni Manna assures they have ‘clear ideas’ on how to improve Max Allegri’s squad in January, but admits ‘perhaps we didn’t spend our money wisely’ last season.

The Partenopei are struggling badly both in Serie A and the Champions League, with calls for the coach to be sacked, perhaps rescued only by the injury crisis decimating his team.

President Aurelio De Laurentiis seems determined to stick with Allegri and that means giving him more alternatives in the January transfer window.

Manna ready to revamp Napoli

“We have clear ideas on how to improve, correct and complete the squad, and we will ensure that we are ready in January,” director of sport Manna told Radio Kiss Kiss.

It is very likely that several players will be moved on, above all Lorenzo Lucca and Noa Lang, who have failed to live up to expectations following big money moves.

“Last season we spent a lot, but perhaps we didn’t spend our money wisely, and I say that being fully aware of the criticism I deserve for that. The President and I never held back when it came to investments, but we did have to respect certain financial parameters, so over the summer opted for more of an austerity approach.

“Nobody banned us from making moves, but some situations were stalled and that blocked others in the transfer market. We’ll be ready in January.”

Manna was slightly reassured by the 1-1 draw with Lazio that saw Napoli go into the break for international duty.

“I saw an encouraging reaction in the second half, showing the kind of energy required to get out of the current situation, so we are hopeful things will be better once we get a few players recovered from injury.

“We are well aware of the situation, and we are not happy with how the season has started. Aside from injuries, if we did something wrong or made incorrect evaluations, we are here to work and fix it.

“It’s important to find a sense of calm and not try to experience every game as if it’s the last, as that doesn’t help.”

There have been reports that Napoli are pursuing Torino winger Alessio Cacciamani, who had already been targeted by Roma over the summer.

“He is certainly an interesting prospect who impressed at Juve Stabia and is showing his potential, but that’s a long way from saying he’ll come to Napoli,” replied Manna.

“There are many players we are keeping an eye on, and he is one of the most interesting young Italian players right now.”

Monza centre-forward Gustavo Varela is another name mentioned with regards to a potential January swoop from Napoli.

“He is a good player, but right now we have Lucca, who is young and can cover that role. Then we’ll see, based on who leaves, what will happen. He is certainly doing well, but I doubt Monza will want to sell a player like that in January, seeing as they are fighting for their Serie A safety.

“Napoli have not made any steps for Varela so far, we’ve done nothing.”