Naples, De Laurentiis-Spalletti: first meeting after the Scudetto

In the heart of the nightlife on a Friday night. Certainly Aurelio De Laurentiis and Luciano Spalletti did not choose a place away from prying eyes to meet and lay the foundations for a future for Napoli that is always competitive. The smiling and relaxed faces, the desire to be seen together means that we can speak of white smoke. But let’s retrace the steps to better understand how things proceed. Just before 8 pm, the president had arrived at the Hotel Britannique, his headquarters in Naples. He had quickly concluded commitments in Rome that could have postponed this long-awaited meeting. Around 8 pm Luciano Spalletti with his blue Panda leaves Castel Volturno where he had enjoyed greeting the a Sky crew present at the exit of the sports center, with the typical Osimhen mask, saying: “We will throw you off”. This is to describe the cordial atmosphere in which the evening continued. And so also the Tuscan who has led a monastic life since being in Naples in the same week has dined twice in Chiaia, the city’s living room and magnetic heart of the nightlife: Wednesday at “Magnolia”, yesterday evening at “L’altro Cocoloco”.

MASK

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White smoke. Technically, this is how we can define this meeting, the first for the championships, between the president and the coach. Also present was the managing director of Filmauro and of the club, Andrea Chiavelli, right arm of De Laurentiis for a lifetime. Those gray fumes that gathered in early spring appear to be thinning out. To be precise, on 24 March, when Spalletti received the Bearzot prize at the Maschio Angioino and De Laurentiis took the stage announcing the confirmation of the coach. Then duly occurred by exploiting the unilateral option that the parties had agreed on for a third year. The man from Certaldo thought he could first discuss it with his employer who instead had used his position of strength in this case. Spalletti had waited in silence because first he wanted to stay focused on the Scudetto to win, but on the night of the party in Udine he had put the dots on the “i”: «The president must tell me and not you who confirmed my contract» . In short, a meeting was needed in which the clarification went beyond the legal and contractual aspect but served to lay the foundations and create a cycle that will keep Napoli at the top in Italy and Europe as both wish.

And then it was time to understand what the future will now be with the departure of sporting director Cristiano Giuntoli, discuss strategies together, understand how to strengthen this Napoli even if something will have to change, given how certain jewels are attracted by the big names. Because trying to keep them reluctantly would be counterproductive. We talk about strategies and then there will be time to discuss contracts and new agreements.

The contract

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De Laurentiis has tried to relaunch, he would like Spalletti for at least another two years. The technical niche but no “tear”, for the contract there will be time to talk about it. The Tuscan does not light up for money but asks for recognition for the work done. Because when you grow a company’s turnover, it is logical that a manager expects recognition and also a greater say in the basic choices, without affecting the decision-making of the entrepreneur. In short, speaking of base money, as the film producer defines it, around 3.5/4 million with bonuses, the new agreement could be found, preferably two-yearly.

And that the conversation flows peacefully can be understood around 10.30 pm when the protagonists come out on the terrace of the club and it’s just smiles and joking phrases. Then they come back and around 11.10 pm the president and the managing director leave. Few but significant words those pronounced by De Laurentiis: “Stay calm”. He doesn’t say more but it is a precise signal on the progress of the evening. Indeed, he adds one thing in response to a handful of fans who ask him: “President, let’s win the Champions League!”. The president’s response was immediate and cordial: “I would always like to win it”. Spalletti does not speak: he postpones everything to today’s press conference scheduled for 12 in Castel Volturno. But it would be really surprising after tonight if the coach didn’t continue this wonderful Neapolitan experience. “Everything for her”.