Napoli stadium: Manfredi cautious on Poggioreale, Maradona revamp underway | OneFootball

The comparison between the City of Naples and SSC Naples regarding the future of the stadium continues to move on parallel tracks. On one hand, the municipal administration, which aims to restyle the Diego Armando Maradona stadium, and on the other hand, President Aurelio De Laurentiis, determined to build a new facility in the Poggioreale area, Caramanico zone.

Naples Stadium, Manfredi brakes on Poggioreale: "Constraints and previous situations. Meanwhile, we work on the restyling of Maradona"

Interviewed by Il Mattino, Mayor Gaetano Manfredi clarified the City's position: "Our goal is to have a competitive stadium. We are working on the restyling of Maradona, which is owned by the municipality, to make it conform to UEFA standards using the necessary resources. If the company wants to build a new facility, we can only be pleased, provided it is an authorized and sustainable project".

The mayor, however, emphasized the difficulties related to the Poggioreale hypothesis: "In the Caramanico area, there are constraints and previous situations, such as the market, which also involve third parties with acquired rights".

Deadlines and double track

The stadium issue is not only a strategic choice but also a necessity dictated by time. UEFA has set a deadline of October 2026 to present an executive project and certify financial coverage, in view of the European Championships.

"For this reason - Manfredi explains - we must follow a double path: work on the restyling of Maradona and at the same time not exclude the hypothesis of a new facility. Other cities like Bologna, Florence, or Milan are facing similar paths, where the problem is always that of constraints and resources".

Maradona or new stadium?

The debate remains open: on one hand, Maradona, a historic symbol of the club and the pulsing heart of the fans, on the other hand, the hypothesis of a modern and owned facility. The municipal administration reiterates its availability and openness, but at the same time emphasizes the need to move with pragmatism and within regulatory and economic limits.

"The City - Manfredi concludes - is open to all options to give Naples a modern stadium. We will work in harmony with the company and with President De Laurentiis, who has just won his second championship and is ready to face new challenges also in the Champions League".

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇮🇹 here.