Former Napoli coach Luciano Spalletti believes Vincenzo Italiano could be the right man to succeed him at the club. Spalletti left the Partenopei at the end of the season, having guided them to a historic Scudetto victory. Speaking at ‘The Coach Experience’ event (as quoted by La Gazzetta dello Sport) the 64-year-old veteran explained why he’s not worried about Napoli, given that president Aurelio De Laurentiis has an excellent track record with choosing the right coach’s:
“He could have been the right profile because he has the desire to play the game, he gets in your face and it’s an attitude I like. The two finals prove it, even if he lost them he still gave everything. These are competitions that are determined by incidents, but to be there means you have worked well.”
“In any case, I know many coaches, but De Laurentiis has always known how to choose excellent tacticians.”
“The future? This year I will stay put, then we will see if I still have the stimulus to give something to the sport. The national team? It doesn’t matter where you train, you can do it in Avane, near Empoli where I live now, or with a national team, feeling the same flavor and enthusiasm.”
“The Champions League final? I will watch the match because I love football, I am a friend of Guardiola and Inter, where I lived a beautiful two-year period except then I decided to take a different path. A road that evidently proved right if today they are playing for the trophy. There is some regret because Napoli could have gotten there too, but we should analyze what happened: several things went sideways. We accept it with tranquility, hoping that the Azzurri can get there in the future.”
“Naples? An indelible bond was born with the people of Naples that will last forever. I wanted to scar it forever because not all scars are bad. If you really love someone you have to be able to dedicate your time to them, in Naples and football, I did that, I gave myself completely to my work. I am a coach who is consistent with myself and beyond the flaws, I have qualities that allowed me to win this Scudetto, which is the most beautiful thing that could happen to me.”
