Napoli president Aurelio de Laurentiis admits he considered making Chelsea boss Andre Villas-Boas their new coach at the end of last season. De Laurentiis appeared set to appoint a new coach as Walter Mazzarri flirted with Juventus.

"I had thought of Villas Boas, but it was better to keep Mazzarri," explained the movie mogul.

"We are behind the English and Spanish clubs, but hopefully new rules will help us bridge the gap."