Napoli lawyer Mattia Grassani provided an update on Luciano Spalletti’s exit clause amidst reports that he’s the leading candidate to replace Roberto Mancini, underlining the ‘political hurdle’.
Mancini unexpectedly resigned from his role as the head coach of the Italian national team on Saturday evening, sending the FIGC a legally certified email to communicate his decision. He is now expected to sign a lucrative contract with the Saudi FA to become their new head coach.
Spalletti quickly emerged as the FIGC’s primary option to become the new head coach but there has been much concern regarding his exit clause with Napoli. He left the club a year early after much negotiations with Aurelio De Laurentiis.
Speaking to ANSA via TMW, Grassani was asked about Spalletti’s exit clause with Napoli and how it impacts his candidacy for the Italy job.
“The clause binds Napoli and Spalletti, no one else. Then it is not forbidden that a club or a federation, interested in hiring the coach, can substitute themselves for the coach, paying the amount.
“Spalletti is master of his own destiny. If he joins a club rather than a national team, that sum is due. Or he stays put.
“The clause was intended to compensate Napoli if Spalletti did not keep his promise to stay on for a year, with the prospect of there being a rival club.
“Nobody thought of a national team. And the FIGC has never paid a club for a coach. This is the political hurdle to overcome.”
The FIGC have also contacted Antonio Conte to line him up as a possible backup option to Spalletti.