Mazzarri: Premier League atmosphere influential in move to Watford

Walter Mazzarri has revealed it was the lure of Premier League football that attracted him to taking over at the Watford helm in the summer.

The 55-year-old, who has spent the last 15 years managing in his native Italy, switched to Vicarage Road from Inter Milan in July, and has helped the Hornets to their current eighth place standing in the top flight.

Prior to their 6-1 defeat away to Liverpool earlier this month, Watford had been enjoying an unbeaten stretch dating back to September, and face reigning champions Leicester City this weekend.

In 2013, Mazzarri took Napoli to a second-place finish in Serie A, their highest position in over 20 years, but it was the desire for a new challenge, he says, brought him to English shores.

(Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)

“I can say that I had a couple of requests to work for the most prestigious clubs in the Premier League but I wanted the programme, not just a seat on the bench, I wanted to work as I like,” he said.

“In Italy, I no longer had anything to prove to myself. As a result, I had to find new stimuli.

“The Premier League is the most important league in the world, one with great exposure, and if you do well here you can go anywhere.”

During his four-year spell at Napoli, Mazzarri enjoyed numerous Champions League ties at English stadia, most notably his side’s memorable defeat of Manchester City in the group stages five years ago.

The atmosphere had a lasting impact on Mazzarri, something he admits he was keen to experience on a more regular basis.

“I was fascinated, indeed struck, by the atmosphere of the English stadiums, before and during the matches,” he said.

“Each Watford game I seem to feel the same adrenaline rush as in the Champions League.”