Napoli President Aurelio De Laurentiis asks fans for ‘patience’ in finding an heir to Scudetto-winning coach Luciano Spalletti. ‘It’s a problem we already resolved many times.’
The Partenopei will play their final game of the season this evening at 17.30 UK time (16.30 GMT) at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona against Sampdoria.
They will receive their medals and lift the Serie A trophy for their first title in 33 years, but Spalletti has already announced his intention to walk away.
“It takes time, guys. Cool heads and patience,” De Laurentiis told TG1 when asked about the hunt for a new coach.
“Tonight let us enjoy the celebration, then we have all of June to relax, arm ourselves with the right weapons and face this problem that we have already resolved many times, because we are in Europe for 14 consecutive years, the only Italian team to achieve that.”
The party at the Stadio San Paolo will go on after the game, with singers and actors invited including Gigi D’Alessio, Arisa, Nino D’Angelo, Avitabile, Emma and Noah.
The Corriere dello Sport claimed today in a front page exclusive that Napoli had contacted Italy coach Roberto Mancini, but this was swiftly denied by the FIGC.
Other names linked with Spalletti’s role include Julian Nagelsmann, Luis Enrique, Antonio Conte and Fiorentina tactician Vincenzo Italiano.