Spalletti To Take A-Year-Long Sabbatical Napoli After Title-Winning Season

Napoli's victorious manager, Luciano Spalletti, confirmed on Monday that he will be stepping down from his position at the end of the current Serie A season. 

Addressing the media at an event held at the Italian national team's Coverciano training centre, Spalletti expressed his need for a break from football and clarified that he would not be immediately taking charge of another team.

"After careful consideration, I have decided to take some time off to rest because I'm quite exhausted," Spalletti shared. "I wouldn't call it a year-long sabbatical, but I won't be actively coaching Napoli or any other club."

The 64-year-old manager led Napoli to clinch the Scudetto with five matches still remaining in the season, orchestrating a magnificent campaign that showcased some of the most exhilarating football seen throughout Europe.

This triumph marked the pinnacle of Spalletti's illustrious coaching career, which garnered admiration for his tactical acumen and style of play but had previously yielded only a handful of trophies.

Spalletti's final appearance as Napoli's head coach will be on Sunday evening when the newly crowned champions host Sampdoria, who have been relegated, at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona.