Nov 14 (Reuters) - Italian champions Napoli appointed former manager Walter Mazzarri as their new coach, the Serie A club said on Tuesday.
The 62-year-old takes over from Rudi Garcia after defeat by Empoli left last season's champions on 21 points, 10 behind leaders Inter Milan in the standings.
At the same stage last term Napoli were unbeaten in Serie A, leading with 10 wins and two draws.
Mazzarri returns to Napoli for a second spell after he managed the team from 2009-2013.
He ended his debut season 2009-10 in sixth place before he helped Napoli qualify for the group stage of the Champions League the following campaign.
Persons:
Walter Mazzarri, Rudi Garcia, Garcia, Luciano Spalletti, Mazzarri, Anita Kobylinska, Trevor Stynes, Tommy Lund, Christian Radnedge
Organizations:
Napoli, Serie, Empoli, Inter Milan, Lazio, Fiorentina, Milan, Juventus, Serie A, Champions League, Thomson