New Napoli coach Maurizio Sarri has hailed the passion of local fans.

Sarri left Empoli for Napoli last month.

“My father is Tuscan, but he worked in Naples for five or six years and I was born here," he told Sport Week.

“He had a difficult job, not like mine. He controlled cranes in Bagnoli. I always thought you should support the club from where you were born, so once we returned to Florence I was the only Napoli supporter in school.

“The fans have this extraordinary love for the team and the city. A few weeks ago I was on the seafront and decided to go for a walk. I left the hotel and was immediately mobbed by a crowd.

“Two police officers at the door grabbed me by the arm, spun me round on the spot and pulled me back in. They made sure I was ok, then asked to take a picture with me!

“I don't know much about Neapolitan cuisine, but I do sense the risk of reaching 100kg… I am very superstitious, which is inevitable for a job where a ball hitting a post at a certain angle can change your life."