| Full name | Società Sportiva Calcio Napoli S.p.A.[1] | |||
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| Nickname(s) | Partenopei Azzurri (The Blues) |
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| Founded | August 1, 1926 (as Associazione Calcio Napoli) |
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| Ground | Stadio San Paolo, Naples, Italy (Capacity: 60,240) |
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| Owner | Aurelio De Laurentiis (through Filmauro srl) | |||
| President | Aurelio De Laurentiis | |||
| Head Coach | Walter Mazzarri | |||
| League | Serie A | |||
| 2010–11 | Serie A, 3rd | |||
| Website | Club home page | |||
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Società Sportiva Calcio Napoli, commonly referred to as Napoli, is a professional Italian football club based in Naples and founded in 1926.[2] The club has spent most of its history in Serie A,[2] where it currently plays its 2011–12 season. Napoli has won Serie A twice, in 1986–87 and 1989–90.[2] They have also won the Italian Cup three times and the Italian Super Cup, and on the European stage have won the UEFA Cup in 1988–89. Napoli is also the most successful club in Southern Italy and the fourth most supported football club in Italy.[3]
The club has had several name changes since first appearing in 1926; the most important of these was in 1964, when it was changed from Associazione Calcio Napoli to Società Sportiva Calcio Napoli. The most recent change was in 2004,[4] when the club went bankrupt but was refounded by film producer Aurelio De Laurentiis as Napoli Soccer; he restored the name to Società Sportiva Calcio Napoli in early 2006.[2]
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The first club was founded as Naples Foot-Ball & Cricket Club in 1904 by English sailor William Poths and his associate Hector M. Bayon.[5][6] Neapolitans such as Conforti, Catterina and Amedeo Salsi were also involved, the latter of which was the club's first president.[7] The original kit of the club was a sky blue and navy blue striped shirt, with black shorts.[8] The name of the club was shortened to Naples Foot-Ball Club in 1906.
Early into its existence, the Italian Football Championship was limited to just Northern clubs, so Southern clubs competed against sailors[5] or in cups such as Thomas Lipton's Lipton Challenge Cup. In the cup competed between Naples and Palermo FBC, Naples won three finals.[9] The foreign contingent at the club broke off in 1912 to form Internazionale Napoli,[5] in time for both club's debut in the Italian Championship of 1912–13.[10] Though the sides had a keen rivalry in the Campania section, they were not as successful outside of it and a few years after World War I, they merged as Foot-Ball Club Internazionale-Naples, also known as FBC Internaples.
Under the presidency of Giorgio Ascarelli, the club changed its name to Associazione Calcio Napoli on 23 August 1926.[11] After a poor start, with a sole point in an entire championship,[12] Napoli was readmitted to Serie A's forerunner National Division by the Italian FA, and began to improve thanks in part to Paraguayan-born Attila Sallustro, who was the first fully fledged hero to the fans.[13] He was a capable goal-scorer and eventually set the all-time goal-scoring record for Napoli, which still stands today.[14]
Napoli entered the Serie A-era under the management of William Garbutt.[15] During his six-year stint, the club would be dramatically transformed, frequently finishing in the top half of the table.[12] This included two third-place finishes during the 1932–33 and 1933–34 seasons,[12] with added notables such as Antonio Vojak, Arnaldo Sentimenti and Carlo Buscaglia.[16] For the years leading up to World War II Napoli went into decline, surviving relegation in 1939–40 by goal average.[12]
Napoli lost a closely contested relegation battle at the end of 1942 and were relegated to Serie B. They moved from Stadio Giorgio Ascarelli to Stadio Arturo Collana and stayed in Serie B until after the war. When play continued, Napoli earned the right to compete in Serie A,[12] but were relegated after two seasons for a bribery scandal.[17] The club bounced back to ensure top flight football at the start of the 1950s.[18] Napoli moved to their new home ground Stadio San Paolo in 1959. Despite erratic league form with highs and lows during this period, including a further relegation and promotion, Napoli had some cup success when they beat SPAL to lift the Coppa Italia in 1962, with goals from Gianni Corelli and Pierluigi Ronzon.[19] Their fourth relegation cut celebrations short the following season.[2]
As the club changed their name to Società Sportiva Calcio Napoli on 25 June 1964[2] they began to rise up again, gaining promotion in 1964–65. Under the management of former player Bruno Pesaola, they won the Coppa delle Alpi[2] and were back amongst the elite in Serie A, with consistent top five finishes.[12] Napoli came very close to winning the league in 1967–68, finishing just behind AC Milan in second place.[12] Some of the most popular players from this period were Dino Zoff, José Altafini, Omar Sívori, and hometown midfielder Antonio Juliano. Juliano would eventually break the appearance records, which still stand today.[16]
The trend of Napoli performing well in the league continued into the 1970s, with third place spots in 1970–71 and 1973–74.[12] Under the coaching of former player Luís Vinício, this gained them entry into the early UEFA Cup competitions; in 1974–75 they reached the third round knocking out Porto 2–0 on the way. During the same season, Napoli finished second in Serie A; just two points behind champions Juventus.[12] Solid performances from locally born players such as Bruscolotti, Juliano and Esposito were relied upon during this period, coupled with goals from Giuseppe Savoldi.[16]
After beating Southampton 4–1 on aggregate to lift the Anglo-Italian League Cup,[20] Napoli were entered into the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup for 1976–77, where they reached the semi-finals, losing 2–1 on aggregate to Anderlecht.[21] The club won their second Coppa Italia trophy in 1975–76, knocking out Milan and Fiorentina en route, before beating rivals Verona 4–0 in the final.[2] In terms of the Italian league, Napoli were still very much a consistent top six side for much of the late 1970s.[12] Even into the earliest two seasons of the 1980s, the club were performing respectably with a third place finish in 1980–81, however by 1983 they had slipped dramatically and were involved in relegation battles.[12]
Napoli broke the world transfer record fee, turning to Diego Maradona with a €12 million deal from Barcelona on 30 June 1984.[22] The squad was gradually re-built, with the likes of Ciro Ferrara, Salvatore Bagni, and Fernando De Napoli filling the ranks.[16] The rise up the tables was gradual, by 1985–86, they had a third place finish under their belts, but better was yet to come. The 1986–87 season was the landmark in Napoli's history; they won the double, securing the Serie A title by three points and then beating Atalanta 4–0 to lift the Coppa Italia.[2]
Because a mainland Southern Italian team had never won the league before, this turned Diego Maradona into a cultural, social and borderline religious icon[23] for Neapolitans, which stretched beyond the realms of just football.[23]
The club were unsuccessful in the European Cup in the following season and finished runners-up in Serie A. However, Napoli were entered into the UEFA Cup for 1988–89 and won their first major European title.[2] Juventus, Bayern Munich, and PAOK were defeated on the way to the final, where Napoli beat Stuttgart 5–4 on aggregate, with two goals from Careca and one each from Maradona, Ferrara and Alemão.[24]
Napoli added their second Serie A title in 1989–90, beating Milan by two points in the title race.[2] However, this was surrounded by less auspicious circumstances as Napoli were awarded two points for a game, when in Bergamo, an Atalanta fan threw a ₤100 lira coin at Alemão's head.[12] A controversial set of events set off at the 1990 World Cup, when Maradona made comments pertaining to North-South inequality in the country and the risorgimento, asking Neapolitans to root for Argentina in the semi-finals against Italy in Naples.[25]
| “ | I don't like the fact that now everybody is asking Neapolitans to be Italian and to support their national team. Naples has always been marginalised by the rest of Italy. It is a city that suffers the most unfair racism. | ” |
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—Diego Armando Maradona, July 1990 |
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Napoli ultras responded by displaying a banner in their curva that read: "Maradona, Naples loves you, but Italy is our homeland".[26] It was the only stadium during the competition where the Argentine national anthem wasn't jeered,[26] Maradona bowed to the Napoli fans at the end and his country went on to reach the final. However, after the final the Italian Football Federation forced Maradona to take a doping test, which he failed testing positive for cocaine; Napoli and he claimed it was a revenge plot for events at the World Cup.[23] Maradona was banned for 15 months and would never play for the club again.[23] The club still managed to win the Supercoppa Italiana that year, with a record 5–1 victory against Juventus, but it would be their last major trophy. In the European Cup however, they went out in the second round.[27]
Though the club finished fourth during the 1991–92 season,[12] Napoli gradually went into decline after that season, both financially and on the field. Players such as Gianfranco Zola, Daniel Fonseca, Ciro Ferrara and Careca had all departed by 1994. Though Napoli did manage to qualify for the 1994–95 UEFA Cup, reaching the third round and in 1996–97, Napoli appeared at the Coppa Italia final, but lost 3–1 to Vicenza.[28] Napoli's league form had dropped lower, and relegation to Serie B came at the end of 1997–98 when they recorded only two wins all season.[12]
The club returned to Serie A after gaining promotion in the 1999–2000 season, though after a closely contested relegation battle they were relegated back down.[12] They failed to gain promotion following this and slipped further down. By August 2004, Napoli was declared bankrupt with debts estimated up to €70 million.[29] To secure football in the city, film producer Aurelio De Laurentiis refounded the club under the name Napoli Soccer,[4] as they were not allowed to use their old name. FIGC placed Napoli in Serie C1, where they missed out on promotion after losing 2–1 in play-offs to local rivals Avellino.[2]
Despite the fact that Napoli were playing in such a low division, they retained higher average attendances than most of the Serie A clubs, breaking the Serie C attendance record with 51,000 at one game.[30] The following season, they secured promotion to Serie B and De Laurentiis bought back the club's history, restoring its name to Società Sportiva Calcio Napoli in May 2006.[2] After just one season back in Serie B, they were promoted on the final day, along with fellow sleeping giants Genoa.[31] Napoli finished the season placed 8th in the Serie A, enough to secure a place in the Intertoto Cup third round. That same year, Napoli also defeated five major teams, Milan, Internazionale, Juventus, Fiorentina, and Udinese.
The 2008–09 season saw Napoli qualifying to the UEFA Cup via Intertoto Cup. However, the team was eliminated in the first round by Portuguese team Benfica. At the domestic level, Napoli made a very impressive start, proposing as one of the main candidates for a Champions League spot; however, results and performances quickly declined in mid-season, causing Napoli to fall down to 11th place in the league table, and leading to the dismissal of manager Edy Reja in March 2009, with Roberto Donadoni being appointed as his replacement.[32]
Despite reinforcements in the summer transfer window,[33] Napoli began the 2009–10 season began with a number of poor results. After a 2–1 loss to Roma in October 2009, Donadoni was relieved of his duties and replaced by former Sampdoria manager, Walter Mazzarri.[34] Under Mazzarri, Napoli climbed up the table, before finishing in 6th place to qualify for the Europa League.[35] Napoli, under Mazzarri's guide and reinforced by players such as Edinson Cavani, spent part of the 2010–11 season in the second place, finally finishing third and qualifying directly to the group phase of the 2011–12 UEFA Champions League.[36]
Note: Flags indicate national team as has been defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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Note: Flags indicate national team as has been defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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Below is the official presidential history of Napoli, from when Giorgio Ascarelli took over at the club in 1926, until the present day.[40]
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Napoli have had many managers and trainers, some seasons they have had co-managers running the team. Here is a chronological list of them from 1926 onwards:[41]
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Antonio Juliano holds Napoli's official appearance record, having made 502 over the course of 16 years from 1962 until 1978.[42] Juliano also holds the record for league appearances with 394.[16] The all-time leading goalscorer for Napoli is Attila Sallustro, with 118 league goals scored.[16] In Serie A the only Napoli player to finish the season as the league's topscorer, known in Italy as the capocannoniere, is Diego Maradona in the 1987–88 season with 15 goals.[43]
The biggest ever victory recorded by Napoli was 8–1 against Pro Patria, in the 1955–56 season of Serie A.[12] Napoli's heaviest championship defeat came during the 1927–28 season when eventual champions Torino beat them 11–0.[12]
Below are appearance and goalscoring records pertaining to Napoli players in the Italian leagues.
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As Naples is a coastal city, the colours of the club have always been derived from the blue waters of the Gulf of Naples.[44] Originally while using the name Naples FBC, the colours of the club implemented two shades of blue.[45] Since the 1920s however, a singular blue tone has been used in the form of azure; as thus they share the nickname azzurri with the Italian national side.[46]
One of the nicknames of Napoli is I ciucciarelli which means "the little donkeys" in the local dialect, they were given this name after a particularly poor performance during the 1926–27 season. It was originally meant to be derogatory, as the Neapolitan symbol is a rampant black horse,[47] the club however adopted the donkey as a mascot called 'O Ciuccio, displaying it with pride.[48]
The club badge Napoli are most famous for is a large N placed within a circle. This crest can be traced back to Internazionale Napoli, who used a similar design on their shirts.[49] Since the club officially adopted the N badge as its representative, Napoli have altered it slightly at various times; sometimes it features the club's name around it, sometimes it does not.[50] The main difference between each badge is the shade of blue used. Usually the N is white, although it has occasionally been gold.[50]
Partenopei is a popular nickname for the club and people from the city of Naples in general.[51] It is derived from Greek mythology where the siren Parthenópē tried to enchant Odysseus from his ship to Capri. In the story Odysseus had his men tie him to the ship's mast so he was able to resist the song of the siren; as a result Parthenope, unable to live with the rejection of her love, drowned herself and her body was washed up upon the shore of Naples.[52]
| Period | Kit manufacturer | Shirt sponsor |
|---|---|---|
| 1978–80 | Puma | None |
| 1981–82 | Snaidero | |
| 1981–81 | NR | |
| 1982–83 | Cirio | |
| 1983–84 | Latte Berna | |
| 1984–85 | Linea Time | Cirio |
| 1985–88 | NR | Buitoni |
| 1985–91 | Mars | |
| 1991–94 | Umbro | Voiello |
| 1994–96 | Lotto | Record Cucine |
| 1996–97 | Centrale del Latte di Napoli | |
| 1997–99 | Nike | Polenghi |
| 1999–00 | Peroni | |
| 2000–03 | Diadora | |
| 2003–04 | Legea | Russo Cicciano |
| 2004–06 | Kappa | Manuale d'amore / Sky Captain / Crash – Contatto fisico / Christmas in Love / Mandi |
| 2005–06 | Lete | |
| 2006–09 | Diadora | |
| 2009–2011 | Macron | |
| 2011– | Lete-MSC |
Napoli is the fourth most supported football club in Italy with around 8% of Italian football fans supporting the club.[3] Like other top clubs in the country, Napoli's fanbase goes beyond the Italian border; it has been estimated by the club that there are around 5 to 6 million fans worldwide.[53][54]
Napoli have several rivalries, the most significant of which is with Roma. In terms of location Napoli and Roma are quite close, together they compete in the Derby del Sole ("Derby of the Sun"), a rivalry which was at its peak in the 1980s.[55] There are also strong rivalries with Lazio and Hellas Verona,[56] as well as local Campanian ones with Salernitana and Avellino.[55]
Conversely, the fans of Napoli have a long standing friendship with Genoa, which goes back to 1982,[57] and with Palermo and Catania. On the last day of the 2006–07 season, the club drew 0–0 with Genoa ensuring both were promoted back into Serie A; Genoa ultras could be seen holding up banners saying "Benvenuto fratello napoletano", meaning "Welcome, Neapolitan brother".[58]
| Revenue | €110,849,458 (2009–10) |
|---|---|
| Operating income | €3,221,598 (2009–10) |
| Net income | €343,686 (2009–10) |
| Total assets | €117,237,581 (2009–10) |
| Total equity | €25,107,223 (2009–10) |
Since refound in 2004, SSC Napoli had a sustainable management strategy. The club has one of thee largest supporting group in Italy which was the main source of income, in terms of gate revenue and TV rights. Except the first few seasons, Napoli made a aggregate profit in successive years: in 2004–05 and 2005–06 season the net loss were €7,061,463 and €9,088,780.[59] In 2006–07 Serie B, Napoli made its first profit of €1,416,976[60] The first Serie A season made new born Napoli had a net profit of €11,911,041[61] It followed by a net profit of €10,934,520[62], due to the income from European matches was offset by the increase in cost. In 2009–10 season, Napoli heavily invested on players, made that season had a net profit of just €343,686.[63]
Serie A: 2
Serie B: 1
Serie C1: 1
Coppa Italia: 3
UEFA Cup: 1
(As of 2 December 2011), Source: Bert Kassies website
| Rank | Team |
|---|---|
| 59 | Udinese |
| 60 | Celtic F.C |
| 61 | Athletic Bilbao |
| 62 | S.S.C Napoli |
| 63 | BATE Borisov |
| 64 | Borussia Dortmund |
| 65 | Hapoel Tel-Aviv |
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