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Even winning Napoli's first Serie A title in 33 years has not been enough for Luciano Spalletti as the manager appears set for the chopping block
Less than a month after leading Napoli to their first Serie A title in 33 years, tensions brewing between Partenopei manager Luciano Spalletti and club owner Aurelio De Laurentiis appear to have reached a boiling point, with both men hinting at an early exit for the Italian manager.
Although De Laurentiis had been clear about wanting to keep Spalletti at the club and hinted at triggering an extension in the managers contract, the Italian gaffer hinted at his dissatisfaction by responding to talks of a contract extension with sarcastic applause and celebration.
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22:51 - 05.05.2023
Spalletti outlines 3 secrets to Napoli’s Serie A success
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Since then, both men have hinted at a strain in their relationship and the strong possibility of Spalletti departing this summer.
Napoli president suggests Spealletti departure
Napoli president De Laurentiis opened the door to a possible exit for the manager, saying he had no intention of keeping anybody that did not want to stay at the club against their will.
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.”
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De Laurentiis also spoke of his relationship with former anagers of Napoli, as if already categorising Spalletti as one of them, saying he was grateful to everyone who was able to give something to the club.
"We have to stay connected. I am linked to Ancelotti, Mazzarri, Reja, Benitez. The important thing is to be grateful to those who gave something to you and those who received. Whoever gave gave, whoever had had.”
Spalletti hints at broken relationship with De Laurentiis and Napoli
Spalletti’s version of events makes the situation a bit clearer, as the Italian manager believes that the handwriting is already on the wall and the club only need to announce the decision it has already made a long time ago.
Speaking after Napoli’s win over Inter, Spalletti said, “I am not waiting for anything, it has all been defined. All that needs doing is for it to be announced. I told De Laurentiis what I needed to say. There were no negotiations. After that dinner together, we emerged with everything sorted out.”
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“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.
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20:21 - 21.05.2023
ANALYSIS Why did Osimhen get angry at Spalletti during Napoli’s win over Inter?
The Nigerian unloaded his annoyance at his manager for taking him off against the Nerazzurri, demonstrating his ambition to end top scorer ahead of Lautaro Martinez.
“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.”
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