Rimini- Luciano Spalletti reopens the chapter on Naples in his new book, “Paradise exists… But how much effort” (Rizzoli, out in May), written with Giancarlo Dotto. And, during a conference in Rimini, the former Italian champion coach revealed behind-the-scenes information on the complex relationship with Aurelio De Laurentiis.
Article Key Points
Two opposite worlds
"We are two different people and we will always remain different. Is that clear? I can make it even clearer," Spalletti said, almost two years after his farewell. In the book, he dedicates an entire chapter to the president, entitled “The Sultan and the Peasant”: on one side De Laurentiis, “absolute authority”; on the other he, Spalletti, tied to the land and to his Montaione.
The Scudetto, the breakup and the love for Naples
Nine months before the triumph, De Laurentiis had promised: “Spalletti will stay”. But the coach, by then, had already decided to leave. Despite everything, he admits: “We have lived beautiful, unforgettable moments that will remain forever in our history. And I will always be by his side… in that story. But outside, we are and will remain different”.
Naples, however, remained in his heart. "Me and Naples? Something incredible. Every time I saw the city decorated for the dream of the championship, I felt tense: I thought about what I would have said if we hadn't made it."
On his skin he bears the sign of that love: the tattoo with the Scudetto and the symbol of Napoli on his left forearm. An indelible seal on an adventure destined to remain in the history of the club and in the hearts of the fans.
That bond with the city, however, remains intact.Something incredible”, confesses Spalletti, who has tattooed the Scudetto and the symbol of Napoli. He remembers the decorated streets and the chats with the fans from his Panda: «I was screaming “It's early!”, There were fans who recognized me and kept me there for two hours, there was no way to free yourself from this embrace and this love”.
On his skin he bears the sign of that love: the tattoo with the Scudetto and the symbol of Napoli on his left forearm. An indelible seal on an adventure destined to remain in the history of the club and in the hearts of the fans.
Article published on 13 April 2025 - 07:25
This article is very interesting, but I don't really understand why Spalletti talks so much about De Laurentiis. Their relationship seems complicated, but in the end he loves Naples and that's nice, even if sometimes things are difficult to explain.