Tottenham target decides to take year long sabbatical

Luciano Spalletti gesticulates during the Serie A match between SSC Napoli vs ACF Fiorentina | Photo Credit: IMAGO / Pacific Press Agency

FOOTBALL Tottenham target decides to take year long sabbatical

Shafic Kiyaga 19:58 - 29.05.2023

Napoli manager Luciano Spalletti, has announced that he will be leaving the club at the end of the season and taking a break from football.

Despite guiding Napoli to their first Serie A title in 33 years, Spalletti expressed his need for rest and explained that he will not be coaching any team, including Napoli, or any other club for the time being.

The decision comes after Spalletti's successful tenure at Napoli, where he had a year left on his contract.

Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis expressed his respect for Spalletti's decision, acknowledging that he is a free man who deserves to do what he wants.

Spalletti's departure leaves Napoli in search of a new manager, and according to reports from Corriere dello Sport, former Roma, Celta, and Barcelona manager Luis Enrique is being considered as the "ideal candidate" to succeed Spalletti.

Meanwhile, Napoli will play their final match of the season against Sampdoria at home after drawing 2-2 with Bologna in their most recent game.

Spalletti's decision to take time off from football rather than immediately moving on to another coaching role has caught the attention of football fans and pundits alike.

This development also raises questions about the coaching landscape, particularly with regards to Tottenham Hotspur, who have been linked with Spalletti and Enrique as a potential targets.

If Spalletti is indeed intent on taking a break, it suggests that he may not be interested in moving to North London, even if the opportunity presents itself.

Spalletti's desire for rest after the demanding season with Napoli is understandable. Guiding the club to their long-awaited Serie A triumph and achieving success in the Champions League group stage has undoubtedly taken a toll on him.

While he has not explicitly ruled out a return to coaching in the future, his immediate plans involve stepping away from the game to recharge and rejuvenate.