The 2002-03 campaign was a season of deep frustration and instability for Napoli as the Partenopei battled to a disappointing 16th-place finish in Serie B. Despite the turmoil of being led by three different managers during the season, Sergio Buso, Franco Colomba, and Franco Scoglio, the team managed to secure their status in the second tier. Providing a crucial, consistent spark was the prolific striker Davide Dionigi, whose 18 crucial league goals proved vital in a year built on underperformance. This challenging period marked a low point in the club's history, solidifying their presence in the second tier before the eventual administrative decline that foreshadowed a painful but necessary rebuilding phase.