Napoli President Aurelio De Laurentiis has finally confirmed that Luciano Spalletti ‘requested a sabbatical year’ after helping the club win the Serie A title for the first time in 33 years. Spalletti still has one year left on his current deal as the club’s manager, but asked to leave at the end of the current campaign.
Aurelio De Laurentiis and Luciano Spalletti at a match. Source: Getty De Laurentiis said he could not stand in the way of the former Inter boss after he guided Napoli to their first Serie A title since 1990. He told reporters; “Spalletti told me that a cycle has come to an end and he asked me to leave because he wants a sabbatical year. I will respect his choice despite the contract. Spalletti is a free man. “When someone comes to you and says that he has done all he can and an era of his life has concluded… He told me that he would prefer to have a sabbatical year. What do you do then? Do you oppose it? “He gave me a great deal, I thank him. Now it is only right that he continues to do what he loves.” 
Luciano Spalletti being celebrated by Napoli players after winning the Serie A. Source: Getty The decision to take a sabbatical reportedly stems from a clause in his contract that forbids him from managing anyone next season. Spalletti’s future at Napoli has been the subject of speculation for weeks. Reports that he would be leaving the club this summer emerged shortly after he delivered the domestic crown. He took over as Napoli’s coach in July 2021 and guided them to a third-place finish in his first season before their incredible success this term Napoli now faces a difficult task in appointing his successor. According to reports in Italy, they are targeting Antonio Conte, Rafa Benitez, Jurgen Klopp, and Roberto De Zerbi.
The Nigerian footballer grabbed his 100th career goal in his 197th professional game, faster than Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Zlatan Ibrahimovic. It came in an incredible style too as he struck the ball past the keeper from an impossible angle next to the by-line. For comparison, Messi scored his 100th goal after 210 games, while Ronaldo, the world’s greatest goalscorer, bagged his after 301 games. Following the goal last night, Osimhen became the first Napoli player to score in seven matches in a row in the Serie A. The Nigerian football star has scored 18 goals and recorded three assists in 19 league appearances for Luciano Spalletti’s side this season. 