SSC Napoli endured a horror season in 2003–04 Serie B, relegated to Serie C by the end of the season. The target prior to the season was promotion to Serie A, and several experienced players were brought in to achieve that goal, among them Massimo Carrera, Renato Olive, Rubens Pasino and Gianluca Savoldi. Especially the signing of Savoldi was significant, since he is the son of legendary Napoli striker Giuseppe Savoldi. The club also lost its captain Roberto Stellone to Reggina.
Supporter Sergio Ercolano was killed when falling down from the stands at the derby with Avellino. That forced Napoli to play three home matches in front of an empty stadium. When coach Andrea Agostinelli was replaced by Luigi Simoni, Napoli at least salvaged a 13th place in the table, and looked set to stay in Serie B for the 2004–05 season.
That changed when it became apparent that president Salvatore Naldi could not fund the club any longer, which meant bankruptcy for the second time in the Neapolitan footballing history. By August 2004, Napoli was declared bankrupt.[1] Film producer Aurelio De Laurentiis refounded Napoli under the name "Napoli Soccer", and were placed in the 2004–05 Serie C1.[2]
Squad
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
