Napoli boss Luciano Spalletti to leave, take sabbatical after Serie A title win

Posted Tuesday, May 30, 2023 by ESPN

Napoli coach Luciano Spalletti has asked to take a break from the game and won't be in charge of the newly crowned Serie A champions next season, he said on Monday.

Spalletti, 64, has been in charge at Napoli since July 2021 and still has one more year on his contract after guiding the club to their first Serie A title in 33 years this season. However, he will step down this summer.

Napoli owner Aurelio De Laurentiis had said on Sunday night that the coach had asked for a sabbatical and that he would not stand in his way and Spalletti confirmed the plan.

"Out of respect for the club I told De Laurentiis straightaway that I needed to take a year off," Italian news agency Ansa quoted Spalletti as saying on Monday.

"I'm a bit tired and want to spend time with my daughter Matilde," he added on the sidelines of a sports business conference.

Napoli also reached the Champions League quarterfinals this season under Spalletti before losing 2-1 on aggregate to AC Milan.

Speaking on the weekend about Spalletti's upcoming departure, De Laurentiis said: "He is a free man. After 50 years in cinema [as producer], and so many exclusives with directors, actors, when someone comes to you and says: 'After all, I've done my best, a cycle of my life has ended, I still have a contract with you, but I'd rather have a sabbatical year.' What are you going to do, are you going to oppose it?

"You have to be generous in life, I never expect anything in return. He gave us, I thank him, now it's right that he continues to do what he loves to do."

Spalletti, who recently got a tattoo on his arm to commemorate Napoli's third league title, said after Sunday's 2-2 draw at Bologna: "I have so many things inside, because to build a Scudetto-winning campaign like we did you need the contribution of every component. Certainly, the warmth and love of the people of Naples is what made the difference.

As for the tattoo, Spalletti said: "Naples was obviously under my skin and I have brought out what I already had inside me after these two years. This city, this group, these people, they all deserve the happiness we are experiencing."

Spalletti's last game in charge will be at home against Sampdoria on June 4.

Former Barcelona and Spain coach Luis Enrique is reportedly being considered to replace Spalletti, as is former Napoli coach Rafael Benitez.

Information from Reuters was included in this report.