Luciano Spalletti and Napoli appear to have parted ways. “Spalletti has decided to leave Napoli,” Italian media outlet Il Matino reported on Wednesday.
Here’s some information that may confirm the parting of ways. “Spalletti said goodbye to the squad just before the game against Inter Milan on April 22,” Il Matino said, adding that “the locker room leaders, including Giovanni Di Lorenzo, Jambo Anguissa, and Juan Jesus, began to understand the situation a few hours before the game against Inter.”
After scoring a goal to make it 2-1 in the 먹튀검증 40th minute of a 1-1 tie, captain Di Lorenzo ran to the bench and hugged Spalletti. “This is the answer to Spalletti’s greeting,” said Il Martino.
Spalletti became a Napoli hero this season after leading the club to its first Serie A title in 33 years.
But with a contract that runs through 2024, he has suddenly decided to leave the club. The reason for Spalletti’s decision is apparently a conflict with president Aurelio De Laurentiis. De Laurentiis reportedly triggered the contract extension clause without consulting Spalletti. “Spalletti was disappointed to be informed by a letter from the head office that his contract had been extended until 2024,” Corriere dello Sport reported.
When asked about his future after the match, which sparked speculation of his resignation, Spalletti responded, “It’s already been decided, I don’t think it will change (even if someone convinces me).”
According to Italian Mediaset commentator Raffaele Auriema, there is another reason for Spalletti’s decision to leave. “Spalletti decided to resign on the 20th of last month. President Laurentiis had shortlisted six or seven candidates to replace him.”
Spalletti, who previously coached AS Roma, Zenit (Russia), and Inter Milan, took over at Napoli ahead of last season. He led the team from fifth place in 2020-21 to third place last season, qualifying for the UEFA Champions League, and this season, along with the Scudetto, the club’s highest-ever eighth-place finish in the Champions League in 33 years.
Napoli have already identified Spalletti’s successor. “President Laurentiis has decided on Atalanta coach Gian Piero Gasparini as the new coach,” Italian transfer market reporter Ciro Venerato told RAI Sport on Wednesday.
Gasparini, who has been at the helm of Atalanta since 2016, led the club to a third-place finish in Serie A in 2018-19 and the club’s first Champions League appearance in its history. He followed that up with an acclaimed quarterfinal run in the 2019-20 Champions League. “Napoli will offer Gasparini a two-year contract with an annual salary of €4 million,” said Venerrato, adding that the tactics could change to a 3-4-3.