The target prior to the season was promotion to Serie A, and several experienced players were brought in to achieve that goal, among them Massimo Carrera, Renato Olive, Rubens Pasino and Gianluca Savoldi.

That forced Napoli to play three home matches in front of an empty stadium.

When coach Andrea Agostinelli was replaced by Luigi Simoni, Napoli at least salvaged a 13th place in the table, and looked set to stay in Serie B for the 2004–05 season.

That changed when it became apparent that president Salvatore Naldi could not fund the club any longer, which meant bankruptcy for the second time in the Neapolitan footballing history.

[2] Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply.