Luciano Spalletti confirms he wants to take a year off after leaving Napoli, but admits Fiorentina coach Vincenzo Italiano ‘could be the right profile’ to take over the Scudetto winners.
The tactician decided to walk away after clinching the club’s first Serie A title in 33 years, insisting he had given all he had and needed time off.
“I confirm that I will take this year off. Then we’ll see if I still have the motivation to give something to this sport,” said Spalletti at ‘The Coach Experience’ event in Rimini.
He was asked if he would accept an international role or just continue at club level.
“It doesn’t matter where, you can do it near Empoli where I live or in a national team, as long as I felt the same enthusiasm.”
Napoli are trying to find a replacement for Spalletti and President Aurelio De Laurentiis said he has a list with 40 names on there that he needs to whittle down.
Italiano has been mentioned by many sources as one of the candidates, even though today Fiorentina announced he will be staying at the Stadio Artemio Franchi.
“Italiano could be the right profile for Napoli, because he wants his teams to take the game to opponents. They get right up in your face and that is an attitude that I like,” commented Spalletti.
“We saw how well he did reaching two Finals, even if he lost them both, it still means he achieved a great deal. A Final can be decided by incidents, but reaching the Final of both the Coppa Italia and Conference League means you did a good job.
“In any case, De Laurentiis proved he knows how to pick excellent coaches.”
The Champions League Final is tonight and Spalletti admits to having torn loyalties when Inter take on Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City.
“I will certainly watch it, as I love football. I am friends with Guardiola, a coach who taught everyone something new. I am also friends with Inter, having spent two wonderful years there only for them to decide to take a different path. They proved it was the right path, as it took them to the Champions League Final.”