Benitez and Napoli must knuckle down to make relationship work

The heightened emotions reflect Napoli’s slump in form, particularly against teams they are expected to defeat with ease, as the strength and expense of their squad demands a Champions League stage.

Benitez should, of course, shoulder the lion’s share of the blame for Napoli’s inconsistency, yet the intrusion and influence of De Laurentiis, who notably confined the squad to a training camp, has not helped either.

The Spanish tactician stands accused of tinkering and needless rotation, and of being solely a cup specialist, yet it would be a bad move for both club and coach to part just two terms into their partnership.

Having pawned Ezequiel Lavezzi and Edinson Cavani to PSG in successive seasons, the Serie A side had cash to splash, and now boast a much stronger squad. However, without a big-name coach such as Benitez, could the club have attracted the likes of Gonzalo Higuain?

Whether the excellent Argentine, plus impressive peers such as fellow forward threats Manolo Gabbiadini, Jose Callejon and Lorenzo Insigne, plus skipper Marek Hamsik and Spain centre back Raul Albiol would stay without the promise of the Champions League remains to be seen, and the buck does stop with Benitez for that.

Watch a Higuain goalfest here:

Napoli had their chance in Europe’s premier competition and blew it with a loss away to Athletic Bilbao but, regardless of results this season, both Benitez and De Laurentiis should make another tilt for continental triumph together, and take a shot at challenging Juve’s Scudetto domination.

The Campania side are unlikely to recruit a coach with the record, experience or silverware haul to match Benitez, whose plus points such as the cup specialist tag should not be overlooked for regular also-rans such as Napoli, who have already claimed a Coppa Italia crown during his tenure.

As for Benitez, City speculation aside, the tactician will also face a tough task to find a suitable match with the resources, passionate fanbase and impressive player roster that the San Paolo side can offer.

The grass is always greener, but Napoli (odds-on at 1/2 to qualify for the Europa League final) and their coach should both take a long hard look at the current climate, and think carefully before bidding goodbye, as with the talent at their disposal, there is every chance of success.