Luciano Spalletti likely to become next Italy boss

Former Napoli manager Luciano Spalletti is currently the favourite to become the next Napoli manager.

Spalletti departed Napoli earlier in the summer after taking the club to the Scudetto for the first time in 33 years and while he is contracted to the club, he is on a sabbatical.

Corriere della Sera state that FIGC have now chosen Spalletti as the key target to replace the departed Roberto Mancini. FIGC president Gabriele Gravina has already held direct contact with Spalletti over a move and has also spoken to Aurelio de Laurentiis about the termination of the manager’s contract.

The deal isn’t expected to be easy but FIGC are trying and they are optimistic, despite De Laurentiis looking keen to earn the severance pay if the FIGC do make an attempt to sign Spalletti. The ex-Roma boss is interested in the role and he was about to fly for a vacation yesterday, but he stopped when contacts were made. He has already considered the staff that he would be able to bring with him if he becomes Italy manager, which suggests that he is indeed keen on the role.

Kaustubh Pandey | GIFN