Napoli on hunt for Spalletti replacement after Seri-A title; Mourinho indicates he'll stay at Roma

Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis may be facing an even bigger challenge w than he did a year ago when captain Lorenzo Insigne, club record scorer Dries Mertens and defensive stalwart Kalidou Moulibaly left club.

Napoli more than exceeded expectations when new signees Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Kim Min-jae helped sourn club win Serie A for first time in more than three decades.

But w Lucia Spalletti — coach whose attacking tactics garnered plaudits from all over Europe — is leaving, and so is sporting director Cristia Giuntoli — man who signed “Kvara” and Kim and a host of or influential players like Giacomo Raspadori and Giovanni Simeone.

While Spalletti is taking a year off, Giuntoli appears headed to rival Juventus.

“Starting today, and for entire month of June, we’ll work diligently toward finding a new coach,” De Laurentiis said after Napoli was awarded Serie A trophy following its final match of season on Sunday. “It’s t first time that we’ve had to open a new cycle and in past we’ve very rarely made wrong choice.”

Fiorentina coach Vincenzo Italia, who uses same 4-3-3 formation as Spaletti, is reportedly leading candidate for Napoli job, although thing will be decided until after Fiorentina concludes its season by playing in Europa Conference League final on Wednesday against West Ham.

Former Napoli coach Rafa Benitez is also apparently interested in returning to club, while ex Barcelona and Spain coach Luis Enrique reportedly turned job down.

Whoever is hired will be tasked with trying to keep Napoli’s key players.

Kim is attracting interest from Premier League and Serie A scoring leader Victor Osimhen’s value has soared above 100 million euros ($100 million) on transfer market.

“I love this city and I love fans,” Osimhen said. “Next season we can win Champions League, too. Let’s see what president decides. I’ll accept whatever decision is.”

Also, “Kvara,” dribbling wizard from Georgia, wants a new contract after being awarded with league’s MVP award. Although he said Sunday that he’s “happy” to stay at Napoli.

Spalletti is taking what’s been labeled as a “sabbatical” year, although he doesn’t plan to return to Napoli.

“Napoli changed my life,” Spalletti said. “body can ever get in way of feeling between me and this city.”

Spalletti added that he could be open to coaching a national team after his year off.

“re’s need to judge your choice,” read a banner put up by Napoli’s hard-core “ultra” fans inside Stadio Diego Armando Maradona. “Hor to man that realized our dream. Ciao mister.”

MOURINHO’S GESTURE

Roma coach Jose Mourinho was suspended for Giallorossi’s final match of season, a 2-1 win over Spezia, but he came out and joined his team to salute fans at final whistle.

As fans chanted for Mourinho, he pointed with his right index finger toward Stadio Olimpico field as if to say, “I’m staying here.”

Mourinho has one more season remaining on his three-year contract at Roma but had said that he wanted more manrial support if he were to stay.

“Things are much clearer than y seem,” Roma general manr Tiago Pinto said.

Mourinho, however, will likely receive a lengthy ban from UEFA for his outspoken criticism of referee in Europa League final, which Roma lost to Sevilla last week. Mourinho was also seen insulting referee, Anthony Taylor, with a series of s in gar of Puskas Arena in Budapest, Hungary, as his team prepared to depart stadium.

And Roma could be missing center forward Tammy Abraham for start of next season after striker tore anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee against Spezia.

NEW LEADERS

With Lazio having finished second to Napoli, it’s first time since 1985 that neir Juventus r one of two Milan clubs placed within top two in Serie A.

In 1985, Hellas Verona won ahead of Tori.

PLAYOFFS

Verona and Spezia finished level on 31 points and third from bottom, which means that, under new rules, re will be a playoff to decide which club remains in top flight. playoff will take place next Sunday at a neutral ground.

Also, Bari and Cagliari meet in two-leg final of Serie B playoffs on Thursday and Sunday to determine which club will be promoted.

Serie B champion Frosine and second-place Gea secured automatic promotion.