“I cried with despair!”: ex-Napoli striker about working with Gennaro Gattuso

Irving Lozano, a player for the Mexican national team, made a transition from PSV to Napoli in 2019. Initially under the tutelage of former AC Milan and Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti, he soon found himself under the guidance of Gennaro Gattuso, a phase he described as the most challenging in his professional career.

Lozano, who returned to PSV this season, shared his struggles under Gattuso on the Hugo Sanchez Presenta program:

"He didn't know me, didn't even know where I played, but he never inquired about me. As a footballer, there are moments when you think, 'Oh, things aren't going too well here. But that will never change me.'

I was always on the substitute bench, and that's when I thought, 'Something's amiss here.' But then, the year was horrendous; I found myself in despair, shedding tears with my wife. You understand, when you're better than many but question yourself: 'Why aren't they granting me minutes? Why aren't they letting me play?'"

Lozano scored fifteen goals in the 2020/21 season and triumphed in Serie A during the 2022/23 season. Despite this, upon his return to Eindhoven, queries arose about whether his true potential was ever realized in Naples.

Currently, he has regained his form, scoring five goals in nine Eredivisie matches.