Spalletti confirms he’s leaving Serie A champion Napoli and taking year off
NAPLES, Italy — Luciano Spalletti has confirmed he’s leaving Serie A champion Napoli and won’t coach subsequent season.
“I need to take a year off. I’m a bit tired and I want to be with my daughter Matilde,” Spalletti mentioned on the sidelines of a switch market symposium on Monday.
Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis revealed on RAI state TV on Sunday that Spalletti requested a sabbatical yr.
“He’s a free man. After 50 years in the film business, when someone comes to you and says, `I’ve given my all, a part of my life is ending, I still have a contract with you but I would prefer to take a sabbatical year,’ what do you do? Do you stand in his way?” De Laurentiis posed. “You’ve got to be generous in life. … He’s given a lot and I thank him for that. Now it’s only fair that he does what he wants to do.”
In his second season at Napoli, the 64-year-old Spalletti coached the workforce to its first Serie A title in 33 years. They gained with 5 rounds to spare.
Spalletti nonetheless has yet one more match with Napoli towards Sampdoria on Sunday, after which the workforce will likely be introduced with the Serie A trophy — its third in membership historical past after Diego Maradona led the workforce to the 1987 and 1990 titles.
Spalletti turns into the second coach in three years to depart a workforce that has simply gained the league — after Antonio Conte parted methods with Inter Milan after the 2021 title.
Napoli sporting director Cristiano Giuntoli — the person who overhauled the squad by signing Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Kim Min-jae — can also be reportedly leaving and will be part of rival Juventus.
The Serie A title was the one huge trophy lacking in Spalletti’s profession after beforehand managing Roma and Inter Milan and profitable the Russian league with Zenit St. Petersburg.
“Sometimes you leave someone you love,” Spalletti mentioned. “A city like Naples deserves much more than the norm. … You’ve got to ask yourself if we’re still up to the task or not. And since I don’t think that will be the case, I’m taking a step back.”
Former Barcelona and Spain coach Luis Enrique is reportedly being thought-about to switch Spalletti, as is former Napoli coach Rafael Benitez.
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