Spalletti confesses: "I left Naples because De Laurentiis took over."

Trento – Luciano Spalletti returns to discuss his time at Napoli, and as always, he does so without reservations. On stage at the Trento Sports Festival, the current national team coach recounted the background to his separation from the Azzurri following their historic 2023 Scudetto victory, explaining how the rift with Aurelio De Laurentiis stemmed from a gradual deterioration in their personal relationship.

"I left Naples because the president had taken over," Spalletti told an audience at the Teatro Sociale. "We never discussed contract renewals, and I never received a sign, a thought, or anything that made me understand he really wanted me. At a certain point, it became difficult to stay."

"An overwhelming, but also frightening love"

The Tuscan coach emotionally recalled his bond with the city and its fans: "When they called me scugnizzo, it was a beautiful moment. Being awarded honorary citizenship of Naples is an honor I will always cherish. The love of Neapolitans is unbridled, but also overwhelming; sometimes it's almost scary because you don't know how far it can go."

Spalletti then recounted some episodes of daily life during his two years in blue, between anecdotes and irony:

“The first year I lived in a hotel, right next to President De Laurentiis' room.

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In the evening, I'd send someone to check if he was in his room, so I'd avoid seeing him before bed," he joked. "He's a great president, but very present. The second year, however, I lived in Castel Volturno: the traffic to get to the sports center was endless, but for me, just seeing the lines on the field was enough to make me happy."

The split after the Scudetto

The split, however, occurred after the club had won its third Scudetto, the first in 33 years.

"When De Laurentiis told reporters that they too would win that championship, it was hard to accept. He had first refusal to renew my contract, and he essentially decided that I should sit out a year. Then he thought he could manage everything himself. We saw how it ended."

Spalletti finally compared his experience at Napoli to an exciting and unpredictable ride: "Coaching Napoli is like being on a roller coaster. It takes you to heights like no other club, but it shakes you to the core. It's an experience I'll never forget."

A sincere and melancholy tale from the coach who brought Napoli back to the top of Italy, but who also wanted to reiterate – between the lines – that his farewell was anything but a peaceful farewell.