Spalletti on the verge of leaving Napoli: four possible successors, including Conte and Benitez

Growing tensions between Napoli President Aurelio De Laurentiis and coach Luciano Spalletti have become increasingly evident in recent days and reports in Italy claim that Rafa Benitez and Antonio Conte are the leading candidates to replace the Tuscan tactician.

According to Il Corriere della Sera, there has been radio silence between De Laurentiis and Spalletti recently and as a result, the Scudetto-winning coach’s future is now up in the air. 

Spalletti has another year left on his current deal with Napoli after the club automatically triggered an extension clause in his contract. However, the 64-year-old was reportedly baffled that confirmation of that news came through on a PEC rather than being told in person. 

De Laurentiis also failed to call Spalletti to congratulate him after Napoli won the Serie A title in May, a detail which hasn’t been overlooked according to Il Corriere. 

The coach was not present for a press conference on Thursday, instead replaced by goalkeeper Alex Meret, as ADL announced further plans for Napoli’s title celebrations and their upcoming pre-season camp. The President did not mention Spalletti’s name once. 

Whilst nothing official has been confirmed either way, Il Corriere dello Sport wrote on page 14 of Friday morning’s print edition that Spalletti will leave Napoli no matter what. 

In the event that he does leave, Rafael Benitez has been tipped on page 24 of La Gazzetta dello Sport to take over, which would be his second stint in Campania following a two-year spell in charge between 2013-15. According to the pink paper, talks between the Spanish tactician and ADL have already begun.

Tuttosport, meanwhile, reported on page 6 that Antonio Conte is the leading candidate to take on the mantle if Spalletti leaves before the start of next season. 

Il Corriere dello Sport wrote on page 15 of Friday’s paper that Atalanta’s Gian Piero Gasperini and Fiorentina’s Vincenzo Italiano are also being monitored with particular interest.