Rudi Garcia takes over the difficult legacy of champion coach Luciano Spalletti at the Italian champions SSC Napoli. The Azzurri announced on Thursday evening the signing of the 59-year-old Frenchman, who spent the summer of 2013 in Serie A at rivals AS Roma until January 2016. Most recently, Garcia coached Al-Nassr FC – Cristiano Ronalo’s team – in Saudi Arabia from summer 2022 to April 2023.
Spalletti’s exit at the peak, the third championship in the club’s history, has been certain for several weeks. The 64-year-old would like to take a sabbatical after the emotionally demanding time. “He told me he would rather take a sabbatical. What do you do then? Are you against it? No. He gave me a lot, I thank him,” said SSC President Aurelio de Laurentiis at the end of May on the “Rai 3” station. “It’s only right that he continues to do what he loves.”
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De Laurentiis described Spalletti as a “free man” despite a contract that actually runs until 2024. The coach took over Napoli in 2021 and made the club Italian champions again this season after a 33-year wait. Overall, the 64-year-old has an average of 2.09 points from 95 games – since 2000 only Maurizio Sarri has also had a two-point average in Naples.
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