Napoli President Aurelio De Laurentiis has finally confirmed that Luciano Spalletti ‘requested a sabbatical year’ after helping the club win the Serie A title for the first time in 33 years.
Spalletti still has one year left on his current deal as the club’s manager, but asked to leave at the end of the current campaign.
De Laurentiis said he could not stand in the way of the former Inter boss after he guided Napoli to their first Serie A title since 1990. He told reporters;
“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. Spalletti is a free man.
“When someone comes to you and says that he has done all he can and an era of his life has concluded… He told me that he would prefer to have a sabbatical year. What do you do then? Do you oppose it?
“He gave me a great deal, I thank him. Now it is only right that he continues to do what he loves.”
The decision to take a sabbatical reportedly stems from a clause in his contract that forbids him from managing anyone next season.
Spalletti’s future at Napoli has been the subject of speculation for weeks. Reports that he would be leaving the club this summer emerged shortly after he delivered the domestic crown. He took over as Napoli’s coach in July 2021 and guided them to a third-place finish in his first season before their incredible success this term
Napoli now faces a difficult task in appointing his successor. According to reports in Italy, they are targeting Antonio Conte, Rafa Benitez, Jurgen Klopp, and Roberto De Zerbi.
