Napoli have been urged to follow Tottenham Hotspur’s example with a potential new stadium, as that’s a sign “you’re at the top”.
Area Napoli cover comments from journalist Peppe Iannicelli today in which he urges Napoli to follow the example set by Tottenham and Real Madrid.
Reports in Italy have suggested that Napoli are exploring the idea of abandoning their current stadium, the Diego Armando Maradona, to play in a new stadium in the coming years.
That stadium is now 65 years old after being opening in 1959, although it was remodelled in 1990 and has regularly been renovated over the years since.
There is now talk of a replacement being built in a deprived area of Naples, ahead of Euro 2023, which will be shared between Italy and Türkiye. Napoli have rejected proposals from the city to renovate the Maradona instead.
That’s led to some disappointment given its historical significance and sentimental value to the fanbase, something only strengthened after it was renamed in honour of their former icon.
Iannicelli believes that there is another solution, though and that is following the example set by Tottenham and Real Madrid, who have both rebuilt on their famous stadiums in recent years.
“If I had to make a decision for Naples and the future of the city of Naples, I would invest in a functional modernization of the Maradona Stadium, modelled after the Santiago Bernabeu which has now become a stadium capable of hosting the National Football League,” he said.
“When you reach that level, it’s like Tottenham’s stadium; it means you’re at the top, it means this city has a stadium where football is played on Saturdays, Taylor Swift performs on Mondays, and a big Broadway musical is on Thursdays, seen by 60,000 people.”