Luciano Spalletti, Napoli’s manager, will leave the club and return to his Tuscan vineyard this summer after ending the club’s 33-year Scudetto drought and thrilling fans with some of Europe’s most exciting football.
The 64-year-old will be remembered as the man who brought joy to southern Italy’s largest city not seen since Diego Maradona strutted his stuff in the world’s toughest league.
On Sunday, Napoli host Sampdoria in a final victory lap before the architect of their historic Serie A title triumph walks off into the sunset.
“Sometimes, you part ways due to too much love… I need to take some time to rest because I’m pretty tired,” said Spalletti this week.
A year’s wine-making leave awaits Spalletti as Napoli head into another post-season of flux after a host of fan favourites were offloaded last summer.
Napoli are yet to identify their new coach while some of their star players are targets for the super-rich clubs north of the Alps.
Napoli will keep hold of wing wizard Khvicha Kvaratskhelia as his contract runs to 2027. A one-year extension which would double his salary to 2.5 million euros is set to be offered.