Despite Napoli’s historic Scudetto success this season, tension has started to brew between club president Aurelio De Laurentiis and coach Luciano Spalletti.
The 64-year-old Italian coach arrived in the Campania capital in the summer of 2021, being somewhat of a risk of the club after being out of the game for two years. Due to this, De Laurentiis decided to offer Spalletti a two-year contract with an option for the club to extend the deal by one year.
Spalletti’s first season in charge was filled with highs and lows. In Serie A, the team secured a third place finish and Champions League qualification, a key result, but they disappointed in the cups, being eliminated in the Round of 16 of the Coppa Italia by Fiorentina and exiting the Europa League in the knockout play-offs after a Barcelona victory.
La Gazzetta dello Sport explains why cracks have started to form in the relationship between De Laurentiis and Spalletti, stemming from the president’s strategy. In order to resolve the issue of Spalletti’s expiring contract, De Laurentiis exercised the one-year extension clause present in the deal.
Spalletti was not informed of this, finding out through a notification letter of the clause’s activation, and was frustrated. He wanted to sit down with the Napoli president to discuss a new deal face to face and was left unimpressed by the move. The 64-year-old is hoping this season’s success will earn him a new contract with a noticeable salary raise.
Spalletti currently earns around €3m net per season, less than his counterparts like Inter’s Simone Inzaghi, Milan’s Stefano Pioli and Juventus’ Massimiliano Allegri.
Things have not reached breaking point yet. When the season is over, and possibly after the pre-season tour in South Korea, Spalletti will sit down to discuss things with De Laurentiis, a conversation that must end in agreement for the two parties to move forward together.