End of era at Napoli as Spalletti bids goodbye

After ending the club’s 33-year Scudetto drought and thrilling fans with some of Europe’s most exciting football, Napoli’s manager, Luciano Spalletti will leave Naples and return to his Tuscan vineyard this summer.

The 64-year-old will be remembered as the man who brought southern Italy’s biggest city a joy not felt since Diego Maradona strutted his stuff in what was then the world’s toughest league.

Napoli’s dream season finally comes to an end on Sunday when they host Sampdoria, a last victory lap before the architect of their historic Serie A title triumph walks off into the sunset.

“Sometimes, you part ways due to too much love… I need to take some time to rest because I’m pretty tired,” said Spalletti this week.

A year’s wine-making leave awaits Spalletti as Napoli head into another post-season of flux after a host of fan favourites were offloaded last summer.

Napoli are yet to identify their new coach while some of their star players are targets for the super-rich clubs north of the Alps.

Napoli will keep hold of wing wizard Khvicha Kvaratskhelia as his contract runs to 2027. A one-year extension which would double his salary to 2.5 million euros is set to be offered.

However, suspended Kim Min-jae, whose superb season at centre-back quickly made fans forget Kalidou Koulibaly, has a 50 million euro release clause and Manchester United are reportedly eyeing his signature.

Star striker Victor Osimhen is also a target after netting 30 goals in all competitions including the strike at Udinese which sealed the Scudetto with five matches left in the league campaign.