Even leading Napoli to its first Serie A championship in 33 years has not been enough for Luciano Spalletti, who seems destined for the firing line.
Tensions between Partenopei manager Luciano Spalletti and club owner Aurelio De Laurentiis, who both seem to be hinting at the Italian manager’s impending departure, appear to have reached a boiling point less than a month after Spalletti led Napoli to their first Serie A title in 33 years.
Although De Laurentiis had made it clear that he wanted to keep Spalletti at the club and had made suggestions about triggering an extension in the manager’s contract, the Italian manager gave away his displeasure by reacting to suggestions of a contract extension with sarcastic applause and celebration.
Since then, both men have made suggestions that there may be a problem in their union and that Spalletti might leave this summer.
The Napoli president suggests that Spealletti leave.
By stating that he had no intention of forcing anyone to stay at the club against their will, Napoli president De Laurentiis provided the manager with an exit strategy.
Speaking about Spalletti, he said, “He’s a champion and the champions have to find a field to express themselves at their best, he found it with us and everything worked out.
“We hope that in future will be able to express even more his ability to build. Better with Napoli? Without a doubt, but in life freedom is an immeasurable and invaluable good, you must not clip anyone’s wings, as no one must do it with me.”
As if already classifying Spalletti as one of them, De Laurentiis also discussed his relationships with former Napoli managers, saying he was appreciative of everyone who was able to contribute in some way to the team.
“We must maintain contact.
Me and Ancelotti, Mazzarri, Reja, and Benitez are connected. The most important thing is to express gratitude to both those who gave you something and those who received it. Whoever had had, gave. ”.
With De Laurentiis and Napoli, Spalletti suggests a strained relationship.
The situation is somewhat clearer according to Spalletti’s version of events, as the Italian manager feels that the club has already made a decision and only needs to make it public.
“I am not waiting for anything, it has all been defined,” Spalletti said following Napoli’s victory over Inter. It simply needs to be announced. De Laurentiis was informed of what I required to say. There were no talks. We left that dinner together having resolved everything. ”.
“The matter has been decided, you don’t change your mind every day.
Spalletti also revealed that negotiations had been going on for a long time and that he had to work through the talks with De Laurentis to win the Scudetto despite tensions brewing between them.
“It is a situation that has been brewing for a long time, Spalletti said, continuing, “when you work from morning to night, some matters tend to mature in your mind because you have to put this spectacle on all the time.”
The Italian manager once again stressed that there would be no going back on his decision, saying, “If you are not convinced that you can give everything these people deserve, it’s right to think it over. You think it over, you arrive at a conclusion, and then you stick with it.
“This is not something that just fell from the sky out of nowhere.”
