Marek Hamsik is widely expected to be appointed as the new manager of the Slovakia national team, according to comments made by Paolo De Matteis, a former team manager at Napoli and current member of the Slovakia national team staff. De Matteis shared his insights on Radio Kiss Kiss Napoli, suggesting the role would be a natural progression for the former midfielder.
Hamsik spent four years working with the current Slovakia setup, forging strong relationships and contributing significantly to the team’s environment. De Matteis emphasized Hamsik’s dedication to his new career path in coaching, describing him as “very serious, very meticulous, and scrupulous,” highlighting his commitment to studying the game. The former Napoli player is considered a national hero in Slovakia, a status that De Matteis believes will command respect within the squad.
Hamsik enjoyed a hugely successful playing career, most notably spending 12 seasons with Napoli where he became the club’s all-time leading goalscorer before being surpassed by Dries Mertens. He earned 136 caps for Slovakia, captaining the side at the 2016 European Championships and the 2018 World Cup. He retired from professional football in 2023 after a brief spell with Como.
De Matteis noted that when Hamsik does speak, his words carry significant weight due to his leadership qualities, suggesting he possesses the characteristics needed to effectively manage a national team. This appointment would mark Hamsik’s first foray into senior management, following his retirement from playing. The move is anticipated to be formally announced in the coming weeks, solidifying Hamsik's transition from celebrated player to national team leader and potentially ushering in a new era for Slovakian football.
