Carlo Ancelotti confirmed as Napoli manager after Maurizio Sarri departs ahead of expected move to Chelsea as new boss performs 'gun finger pose' with owner Aurelio De Laurentiis

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Napoli appointed the much-travelled and hugely successful Carlo Ancelotti as their new head coach on Wednesday, handing him the job of trying to end Juventus' dominance of Serie A.

Ancelotti has agreed a three-year deal and will replace Maurizio Sarri, who led Napoli to two second-place and one third-place finish during his three seasons in charge.

'SSC Napoli is delighted to announce that an agreement has been reached with Carlo Ancelotti for him to become the head coach of the first team for three seasons starting in 2018-19,' the club said in a statement on its website.

Carlo Ancelotti poses with Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis on Wednesday

The veteran manager posed in a contrived 'gun finger' position with his new boss, Napoli chairman Aurelio De Laurentiis.

It will be Ancelotti's first managerial job since an ungraceful departure from Bayern Munich in September.

A poor start to the Bundesliga season and a fractured relationship with senior members of the squad sealed his fate, but the failure in Bavaria is a mere blotch on an otherwise impressive CV.

The 58-year-old has won league titles in Italy, England, France and Germany and also lifted the Champions League three times as a manager. His experience stands in stark contrast to Sarri, who is yet to win a major honour in the dugout.

Ancelotti takes his first role since being sacked from Bayern Munich in September

Maurizio Sarri leaves Napoli ahead of an expected move to Chelsea to replace Antonio Conte

Sarri is expected to succeed Antonio Conte as Chelsea manager this week after his Napoli side achieved a remarkable 91 points in Serie A, although still finished second behind Massimiliano Allegri's Juventus.

Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich will have to pay the £7million release clause in the 59-year-old's Napoli contract, which does not expire until June 2020. 

He may also have to pay £9m in compensation to current manager Conte if they cannot agree to the mutual termination of his Stamford Bridge contract.

Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis announced Sarri's departure indirectly on Wednesday afternoon by posting a farewell message on his official Twitter channel.

The outspoken owner wrote: 'I thank Maurizio Sarri for his dedication to Napoli which has brought great prestige and emotion to the city by creating a style of football which is admired everywhere and by everyone. Well done Maurizio.'

De Laurentiis had tried hard to keep Sarri at the club, offering the Italian head coach an improved contract but withdrew from talks after running out of patience. 

Sarri is leading the race to replace the outgoing Conte (above) as Chelsea manager

When asked about how the negotiations are progressing, De Laurentiis said: 'There is no more time for Sarri, he didn't answer. Ask him.

'He has always just sent me to Alessandro Pellegrini (Sarri's agent), he never game me an answer, he only replied, "boh!".

'I have to take responsibility. At some point we have to move forward. 'I'm not saying he will leave. There is a release clause, we'll see what will happen.'

Following Sunday's 2-1 home win over Crotone, Sarri said: 'Everything in life ends and it is better to finish things after writing a beautiful story.'