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Luciano Spalletti has asked to leave Napoli for a sabbatical year, reveals club president Aurelio De Laurentiis.
President Aurelio De Laurentiis revealed that Luciano Spalletti, the head coach of Napoli, would depart the club to take a year-long break.
Although the coach still has one year remaining on his Napoli contract, he has asked to be allowed to go at the end of the current season. As a result of Spalletti leading the team to their first Serie A title in 33 years, De Laurentiis claims that his desire will be accomplished.
“Spalletti told me that a cycle has come to an end and he asked me to leave because he wants a sabbatical year. I will respect his choice despite the contract,” De Laurentiis said to RAI.
The Napoli president also revealed his plans for the Diego Maradona Stadium to attract more visitors on the back of a historic season. “I’ll try to make it a stadium of property: the Municipality will give it to us for 99 years and things will change,” he added. “It will pulsate every day of the week. Let us marry people? Why not. There will be a museum and more.”
There has been talk about Spalletti’s future at Napoli for some weeks. Shortly after he delivered the domestic title, reports that he would be departing the club this summer surfaced.
Before leading Napoli to their remarkable success this season, Spalletti took over as head coach in July 2021 and led them to a third-place finish in his inaugural campaign.
Rafa Benitez, the former manager of Liverpool, has reportedly entered the running to succeed Spalletti. The Spaniard previously worked for Napoli from 2013 to 2015.
Prior to starting his year off, Spalletti will play one final game for Napoli against Sampdoria. De Laurentiis will then try to name Spalletti’s successor before the 2023–24 season.