Napoli boss Luciano Spalletti’s job is on the line just 14 DAYS after winning the Serie A title… with the Italian ‘no longer in talks with crazy owner Aurelio De Laurentiis’ and the club wanting Rafa Benitez as a replacement draws up
- Napoli could replace Luciano Spalletti with Rafa Benitez as boss next year
- Contract talks with the title-winning boss have been frozen with the club president
- American duo Christian Pulisic and Taylor Booth are both wanted by the Serie A squad
Napoli has yet to agree a new deal for coach Luciano Spalletti and could be replaced by Rafael Benitez next season.
The 64-year-old’s contract expires at the end of next season, after the club recently activated a contract extension until the summer of 2024, and he was expected to sign new terms after Napoli’s Serie A title win.
Now La Gazzetto dello Sport report that negotiations with club president Aurelio De Laurentiis over a new deal have stalled and that the pair are not in talks.
With reports linking the newly crowned Serie A champion to former boss Benitez after contact was made with the Spaniard over a possible return to the club.
Napoli clinched their first Serie A title in 33 years earlier this month, sparking wild celebrations in the city.
Luciano Spalletti’s future as Napoli boss in doubt after contract talks with the club
There has been contact with Rafa Benitez about a possible return to replace Spalletti at Napoli
Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis (right, front) did not thank Spalletti for the title win in recent comments
Following the win, Spalletti’s was believed to be on a new two-year deal, with a salary higher than his current £2.43 million (€2.8 million) per season and met De Laurentiis for dinner last week to discuss the contract. to talk.
However, there is no confirmation of a new deal and earlier this week De Laurentiis declined to take an interest in Spalletti’s future when asked about the club’s manager.
Instead, the president chose to thank the team for their efforts this season, without mentioning the man who led them to their title victory.
Benitez was in charge of the Italian squad for two years in 2013. He led them to a Coppa Italia victory over Fiorentina and qualification for the Champions League in his first season with the club.
He left at the end of the 2014–15 season, after Lazio lifted Napoli to fourth place and took charge of Real Madrid.
The former Champions League and Europa League winner has been out of work since leaving Everton in January last year, but was linked to vacant posts at Leicester and Crystal Palace earlier this season.