The President of Italian club Napoli, Aurelio De Laurentiis, expressed regret and admitted his mistake in firing veteran coach Luciano Spalletti at the end of the 2022-2023 season despite winning the Serie A title.
Spalletti successfully led the Partenopei to their first Serie A title since 1990 last season but decided to step away from coaching for a period at the end of the season before being appointed as the coach of the Italian national team by the Italian Football Federation.
However, De Laurentiis made the decision to dismiss the experienced Italian coach Luciano Spalletti at the end of the season due to differences between them.
During a press conference on Wednesday in the city, De Laurentiis said, “Everything that happens is because of me… I told you that last December and today I clarify it.”
He added, “I have taken on the responsibility as the club’s president… I must bear the honor and burdens of this position, and I always say advise me, but then I do what pleases me.”
De Laurentiis emphasized that Napoli is not the same team without coach Luciano Spalletti.
He further stated, “I feel extreme frustration at not winning the Champions… I was hoping to win it or at least reach the finals.”
Currently, Napoli sits in seventh place in the Italian league, which places them outside the qualifying positions for European competitions.
The departure of the coach, who is currently in charge of the Italian national team, was one of the most debated issues by De Laurentiis, who confirmed that he could have kept him in the position but chose not to do so.
