Marek Hamsik glad to see Rafael Benitez leave Napoli

Napoli star Marek Hamsik has claimed that he will rediscover his best form now that coach Rafael Benitez has left the club.

The Spaniard left the Serie A outfit to take the reins at Real Madrid this summer, with the Partenopei appointing Maurizio Sarri as his replacement.

The 28-year-old had built a reputation as an exciting playmaker under Walter Mazzarri's reign at Stadio San Paolo, and the Slovakian hopes to return to that level following Benitez's exit.

"With the new coach, I have a good relationship," he told Sport. "We often talk about tactics. He is really very picky in that way.

"Compared to the style of football we played under Benitez, he has changed something.

"Why did I find it difficult with Benitez? Last year I played nearly always with my back to the goal, with [Walter] Mazzarri that was not the case."

Napoli's new season gets underway on August 23 with a trip to Sassuolo.