Watford
Which team was coached by Walter Mazzarri after Apr 2017?
Walter Mazzarri Walter Mazzarri ( ; born 1 October 1961 ) is an Italian former footballer and head coach . After coaching several smaller Italian sides , Mazzarri took up a managerial position with Sampdoria in 2007 ; with the help of the attacking partnership of Antonio Cassano and Giampaolo Pazzini , he led the team to qualify for the UEFA Cup in his first season , and subsequently reached the Coppa Italia final the next year . In 2009 , he joined Napoli , where he implemented a 3–4–3 formation with which he later became associated . With the attacking trio of Ezequiel Lavezzi , Edinson Cavani and Marek Hamšík , he helped the team qualify for the UEFA Champions League for the first time in the clubs history in 2011 , and won the Coppa Italia the following season , the clubs first trophy in over 20 years . In his final season with the team , he managed a second-place finish in Serie A , the clubs best league finish in over 20 years . In 2013 , he moved to Internazionale , but was later sacked halfway through his second season with the club . He later managed Torino in Serie A , and had one year in charge of Watford in Englands Premier League in 2016–17 . Playing career . Mazzarri , a midfielder and a product of Fiorentinas youth system , made his professional debut in 1981 for Pescara of Serie B , and played a short Serie A stint in Cagliari the following season , before being sold to Reggiana . He had his longest period at Empoli , who won promotion to Serie A for the first time during his time with the Tuscan side . After several spells with mostly minor teams , including a two-year stint with Acireale where he was part of the team who won a historic first promotion to Serie B , and then playing in the Italian second tier in 1993–94 , Mazzarri ended his playing career in 1995 with Sassari Torres . Managerial career . Early years . Mazzarri started his coaching career as Renzo Ulivieris assistant at Napoli in 1998 . His first spell in charge came in 2001–02 for Sicilian Serie C2 team Acireale , where he had been a player from 1992 to 1994 . Subsequently , he returned to his native Tuscany to coach Pistoiese of Serie C1 in 2002–03 and Livorno of Serie B in 2003–04 , bringing the amaranto led by Cristiano Lucarelli back to Serie A . He was coach of Reggina from 2004 to 2007 , leading the Calabrian side to Serie A survival in three consecutive seasons , the last obtained on the final day of the season despite an 11-point deduction . In May 2007 , Mazzarri was made an honorary citizen of Reggio Calabria , after helping the club avoid relegation during the 2006–07 Serie A season . Sampdoria . On 31 May 2007 he was announced as new Sampdoria coach . He served as Sampdoria boss for two seasons , overseeing a considerable improvement in results , thanks to the likes of the attacking duo of Antonio Cassano , who publicly praised Mazzarris coaching abilities , and Giampaolo Pazzini . Sampdorias 2007–08 campaign ended in an impressive sixth place , which ensured qualification for the UEFA Cup . Mazzarris fortunes declined slightly in 2008–09 , as the blucerchiati ended their campaign in 13th place ; despite this , he managed to guide his team into the Coppa Italia Final , notably defeating champions Inter 3–1 on aggregate in the semi-finals , before losing on penalties to Lazio in the final . Mazzarri left Sampdoria by mutual consent at the end of the 2008–09 season . Napoli . On 6 October 2009 he was appointed manager of Napoli , replacing Roberto Donadoni . He finished his debut season in sixth place in Serie A , and was handed a new three-year contract at the end of the campaign . In 2010–11 , Mazzarris Napoli finished third in the league and qualified directly for the group phase of the 2011–12 UEFA Champions League – their first time in Europes premier competition in 21 years . His team were known for an attacking 3–4–3 formation with a frontline of Ezequiel Lavezzi , Marek Hamšík and Edinson Cavani . They finished second in their Champions League group , behind Bayern Munich but ahead of Manchester City and Villareal , to meet Chelsea in the last 16 . Napoli won 3–1 at home in the first leg ; they were subsequently beaten 4–1 at Stamford Bridge after extra time , being eliminated by the eventual champions . Napoli won the 2012 Coppa Italia Final over undefeated league champions Juventus on 20 May ; this was Juventuss only loss of the season , and Napolis first title in over 20 years . On 11 August that year , the club suffered a controversial 4–2 extra-time defeat to Juventus in the 2012 Supercoppa Italiana , which saw two Napoli players sent off as well as Mazzarri . He left the Azzurri on 19 May 2013 , after leading them to a 2nd-place finish and a spot in the Champions League at the end of the 2012–13 Serie A season ; this was the clubs best league finish in over 20 years . Inter . Mazzarri was officially appointed as the Inter manager on 24 May 2013 , after Andrea Stramaccioni was dismissed for a poor performance in the 2012–13 season . On 2 July 2014 , he signed a one-year extension to tie him to the team until 30 June 2016 . He was sacked by Inter after a series of disappointing results on 14 November 2014 , leaving the club in ninth place . He parted with the club before the 12th matchday , while they were five points below their season objective of the third position . Watford . On 21 May 2016 , Watford confirmed they had reached an agreement with Mazzarri to become Head Coach from 1 July 2016 on a three-year contract . He joined a club owned by his compatriot Giampaolo Pozzo , and worked without being able to speak English . Mazzarri secured Watfords Premier League status that season , finishing one place above relegation in 17th , a four-place dip on their previous campaign . It was announced on 17 May 2017 that his contract would be terminated at the end of his first season at the club . Torino . On 4 January 2018 , Mazzarri was appointed manager of Torino , replacing Siniša Mihajlović . With a 7th-place finish in 2018–19 he led the Granata to the UEFA Europa League , where they were eliminated in the play-off round by Wolverhampton Wanderers . On 4 February 2020 , Mazzarri was dismissed following back-to-back 7–0 and 4–0 defeats to Atalanta and Lecce , respectively . Honours . Manager . - Sampdoria - Coppa Italia Runner-up : 2008–09 - Napoli - Coppa Italia : 2011–12 - Supercoppa Italiana Runner-up : 2012 - Serie A Runner-up : 2012–13 - Individual - Enzo Bearzot Award : 2012