New Napoli head coach Massimiliano Allegri was forced to pull out of a scheduled fan presentation event on Tuesday evening after coming down with flu-like symptoms, casting an early shadow over the club's pre-season preparations in Dimaro.
The former Juventus and Milan boss had been due to take the stage alongside his coaching staff for a question-and-answer session with supporters at the club's Trentino training base. However, organisers announced the event's cancellation shortly before it was due to begin, citing the 58-year-old's sudden illness.
Allegri was also absent from Tuesday's training session, leaving his assistant coach to lead the squad through their paces on the pitch. Club sources have indicated that the coach is expected to return to work by Wednesday, though his recovery will be monitored closely in case the symptoms persist.
The setback comes just over a week after Allegri's official unveiling as Napoli's new manager — a grand ceremony held at the historic Teatro San Carlo in Naples on July 14, attended by club president Aurelio De Laurentiis, media and VIP guests. That event marked the formal start of a new era for the Partenopei after a summer of transition.
Napoli's pre-season programme has otherwise proceeded as planned. The squad has been working on a 4-3-3 formation under Allegri's direction, and a friendly against Serie C side Arezzo remains scheduled for Wednesday evening in Dimaro. Whether Allegri will be on the touchline for that fixture will depend on his recovery over the next 24 hours.
The episode has provided an inauspicious start to what is hoped to be a reset campaign for Napoli, who finished well off the pace in Serie A last season and are looking to restore their status among Italy's elite under Allegri's experienced leadership.
Sources
- https://football-italia.net/allegri-cancels-napoli-fan-event-after-illness/
