Napoli’s head coach Luciano Spalletti will depart the Serie A-winning side after requesting a year off from owner Aurelio Di Laurentiis following the club’s historic season. In May, Spalletti became the oldest manager in Serie A history to win his first Scudetto with Napoli, ending a 33-year wait for league glory. However, he has decided to prioritize family time after an intense campaign.
The 64-year-old coach hinted at his departure after Napoli’s 3-1 victory against Inter Milan last week, stating that the decision had been ‘brewing for a long time.’ Di Laurentiis confirmed that Spalletti requested a sabbatical and did not stand in his way. The coach expressed his desire to take a break and spend time with his daughter Mathilde.
Spalletti previously took a two-year sabbatical while on Inter Milan’s payroll before joining Napoli. According to Gazzetta dello Sport, former Spain head coach Luis Enrique is Napoli’s top choice to replace Spalletti, despite his Premier League aspirations.
Since joining Napoli in 2021, Spalletti has experienced ups and downs but ultimately won the Scudetto, becoming an icon in the city. He even commemorated the victory with a tattoo on his forearm. De Laurentiis praised the outgoing manager, accepting his decision and thanking him for his contributions.
As the club looks to retain their title, Napoli’s owner stated that star striker Victor Osimhen would not be available for sale this summer. Other high-profile players such as Kim Min-jae and Kvicha Kvaratskhelia have also attracted interest from top clubs like Manchester United, Manchester City, and Real Madrid.
