Giovanni Manna, Napoli's sporting director, shared in a long interview on the "Colpi da Maestro" podcast the key moments of his career and the vision that led him to lead the Neapolitan team to their first scudetto in 2023. The interview, published on TUTTOmercatoWEB, offers an in-depth look at the stages that shaped his approach to football and the philosophy that guided Napoli's success.
The manager remembers with particular fondness the period spent at Juventus, where he had the responsibility of building the B team. According to Manna, that role was "a life-changing experience". Working with young people, accompanying them as they grow and seeing boys transform into men has been a shared life journey. Manna underlines the importance of an "absolute" level working group and his strong affection towards all the players, not just the owners. "I am very close to these guys, even those who play in Serie B, not just the top ones. Indeed, perhaps more so with the others", he declared, highlighting his attention to the development of each member of the team.
The triumph with Napoli was the most significant episode of his career. In his first year as DS, Manna led the team to a Serie A title, an achievement he described as "a dream". The season was characterized by difficulties, but also by decisive moments: draws against Parma, Inter and Lazio, and the final day on Friday which decided the championship. Manna says he felt the victory when, during a trip to the sports centre, he saw the Neapolitan flags and realized that the title was on the way. “When you're there you never think you can actually do it,” he said, underlining the incredible accomplishment of that achievement.
During the interview, Manna also discussed the club's management strategies, transfer choices and the importance of building a cohesive team. He highlighted how the youth development philosophy, inspired by his experience at Juventus, has been integrated into Napoli's structure, helping to create a competitive and resilient team. His approach is based on a balance between emerging talent and consolidated experience, with a focus on the personal and professional growth of each player.
Looking to the future, Manna remains committed to consolidating Napoli's position in Serie A and European competitions. With a solid base of young talent and an effective management structure, the club aims to maintain competitiveness and pursue new goals, both national and international. His vision continues to be guided by the belief that player growth and team cohesion are the keys to sustainable success.