Luciano Spalletti and Aurelio De Laurentiis continue to be at odds following the coach’s sudden exit after winning the Scudetto two years ago. The two haven’t mended fences, as the Italy boss stated in an interview to Rai Uno (via Ansa).
“The relationship with the president was a little rocky. I would have preferred more humanity since I exerted myself there. Wins or losses, nothing slides off of me. I’m very loyal, both professionally and sentimentally. We have never gotten in touch, maybe there’ll be a chance in the future.”
The Azzurri coach commented on Napoli, which could lift their second title in three years.
“No city can be so happy and melancholic. Seeing it happy is something that I will carry with me forever.”
Spalletti motivated his abrupt departure in his book ‘Le verità nascoste’ (via Calcio e Finanza).
“I left because I didn’t want to continue this clash of characters with a capable entrepreneur but with large ego. He rubber-stamped everything and certified whether a choice was right or from. I was tired of battling for everything, whether it was a jersey the players asked for their kids or changing hotels continuously for all sorts of reasons. The sultan knew hot to surprise us and is capricious, unpredictable, jarring.”
“He proved his love for the team when, during our Scudetto-winning campaign, he stopped not only commenting on the lineups but even speaking in public. His silence was loud. It was the biggest sacrifice for him. Maybe that caused him not to call anybody the night we won the title, not even to share the feat. He sent me a letter later on. It would have been more useful and right to talk it out. I would have stayed if there were more respect on a human level and more dialogue about what to do to win again.”
