Walter Mazzarri wants to turn Napoli into title challengers next season.

Backed by Aurelio De Laurentiis, he hopes to make yet more progress next season and mount a sustained but realistic challenge for the Scudetto.

The Napoli coach told Corriere dello Sport: "We a focusing on gradual improvement. Last season's sixth place is worth something extra because in the period under my management we got a point more than Sampdoria.

"It would be wonderful, one day, to be competitive for something concrete. We won't impose limits on ourselves, but we need to be prudent and calm. The squad has a value that isn't up for discussion and starting with me, from training camp onwards, we can have more continuity in our work.

"We have another advantage: a large part this squad will stay. That allows us to know what we need to do. I know them and they know me.

"I think 80 per cent of the squad will be confirmed again. It's a strong, solid group that is sufficiently well educated. And this is no small help.

"Last season's results offer important indications on the value of this Napoli side and we must take that into account: we are fine how we are."