Luciano Spalletti is a former Inter and Roma head coach. (File) Luciano Spalletti has been named the new coach of Napoli, succeeding Gennaro Gattuso, the Serie A club confirmed on Saturday.
The vastly-experienced Spalletti left his last role with Inter Milan in 2019 and enjoyed his most successful spell in Italy at AS Roma, where he won back-to-back Coppa Italias in 2007 and 2008.
✍️ | Welcome to our new coach, Luciano Spalletti!
💙 #ForzaNapoliSempre pic.twitter.com/ScvAgtUSg6
— Official SSC Napoli (@en_sscnapoli) May 29, 2021
Gattuso’s widely-expected departure was confirmed this week after Napoli failed to qualify for next season’s Champions League following a final day draw at home to Hellas Verona.
“I am delighted to announce that Luciano Spalletti will become Napoli coach on 1 July,” Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis said in a short statement. “Welcome, Luciano – we’ll do great work together.”
Gattuso, who has since taken over at fellow Serie A side Fiorentina, succeeded Carlo Ancelotti as Napoli coach in December 2019 and led the team to Coppa Italia glory in 2020.
Although his departure was far from surprising following a reported breakdown in relationship with De Laurentiis, Gattuso has not discussed the matter recently as the club have imposed a media blackout since February.
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