“The facilities here are fantastic, it’s all very well organised, the pitches are wonderful and the accommodation is top-notch. Thank you to everyone in Abruzzo for the hospitality. It’s been a pleasant surprise for me.”

Do you feel responsible for the new Napoli team that is emerging?

“I was born with responsibilities. I’m not scared of anything. You just need to work hard, keep your head down and give your all. I’m certain of that. I’m pleased with the players I’m coaching. I have a strong young squad that is brimming with talent.

“I’m calm. I’m not worried about the value of the squad. I coach them, which is what I know best, and I know we can achieve so much. We’ll be kicking off a new league campaign after a short break for reasons that we all know, so it will be an unusual start. Football will be different and we must ensure we’re ready.”

Now that he’s arrived, you can talk to us about Victor Osimhen.

“Osimhen is a forward who gives us so many options in attack in terms of our style of play. We can try to play a more direct brand of football because he knows how to attack space, is physically strong and will certainly help us out.

“Obviously my staff and I have tactical ideas in our heads. We have quality players and we’ll analyse how the team will line up. We have to make sure we cover all areas of the pitch. You need to be motivated and also strike the right balance.”

What are you asking of your team in order to reach the next level?

“This team needs character and technical ability. There are so many elements involved in achieving success. You need heart, intelligence, a sense of belonging and motivation to be at this club. That’s the only way we can raise the bar. That’s what I mean when I talk about venom and mentality. That’s the step we have to take to improve.”

What do you expect from your first full season in charge of the Azzurri?

“I don’t expect much from myself, but I expect a lot from my players. I know what I can give my team, but at the moment, I have to work very hard to try to change some small things in order to improve. The aim is to get into the biggest European competition. We know it’s not easy, but we have to target the Champions League, which has been Napoli’s home for the last 10 years. That’s what we’ll be working towards…”