De Laurentiis: “The list of aspiring coaches has grown, from 22 to 40”

Napoli are the most successful Italian side so far this season, having won Serie A for the first time in 33 years (Cup winners Inter have the potential to overtake them if they win the Champions League against Manchester City), and one of the main reasons for having brought Luciano Spalletti at the helm.

However, the veteran coach will not be mentoring them for the third straight year after deciding to retire from the bench for a year (the various disagreements he had with the management of the Partenopei also played a role), which Aurelio De Laurentiis forced to come out to… turn around and look for his worthy successor.

A decision that is not easy, since the strong man of the Italian team from the south talked about a list of candidates with 20 names on Monday (05/06) and two days later … doubled the number and spoke of 40 candidates.

“As of today, I’ve made it my mission to review a list of potential managers, which has grown from 22 to 40 names. I need to start looking at who is available and who will be able to play in the 4-3-3 system and do that with a defensive line playing high.

That’s a question that will take time, then we need to understand their character and if they can adapt to the Partenope culture.” pointed out De Laurentiis, only to refer to Fiorentina coach Vincenzo Italiano, who is said to be on Napoli’s list:

“He’s a very good coach, but he has commitments to Fiorentina. It’s not right to piss off friends. If he’s the one who wants to end his contract with Fiorentina, I’ll take him into account.”

But I don’t have him on the list of 40 aspiring coaches. His contract with Fiorentina runs for another year, maybe two or three. I don’t pay to break clauses either.”