After leading Napoli to a first Serie A title in 33 years, manager Luciano Spalletti is taking a one-year sabbatical, the club’s president said.
Spalletti, 64, who took over in July 2021 and finished third in his first season, has one year left on his contract.
Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis said he would “respect” the decision.
Speaking to Italian broadcaster Rai, De Laurentiis said: “He is a free man, he gave us something and I thank him, it is right that he will do what he wants.”
The club won their first Italian top-flight title since 1990 on 4 May, with five games remaining, and reached the quarter-finals of the Champions League, recording victories over Liverpool, Ajax and Rangers in the group stage.
Former Roma, Celta and Barcelona manager Luis Enrique, who is leaving his position as Spain boss after the 2022 World Cup, is Napoli’s “ideal candidate” to replace Spalletti, Sports Courier reporting.
Napoli, who drew 2-2 with Bologna on Sunday, play their last game of the season at home to Sampdoria next Sunday.
