Luciano Spalletti: “AC Milan Contacted Me But Inter Paid Me To Stay At Home”

Former Inter manager Luciano Spalletti has denied media reports that he was contacted by Napoli regarding the managers gig and also spoke on when AC Milan came in for him.

Spalletti managed Inter for two seasons and was relieved from his duties this past Summer having led the team to Champions League qualification for the second consecutive season.

Soon into the season, AC Milan sacked Marco Giampaolo and contacted Spalletti but nothing came off it as Spalletti and Inter could not agree a severance payment.

“I was not contacted by Napoli in December. The Azzurri have chosen their new manager very well in Gattuso. He is a young and organised manager who is doing very well,” he told reporters at an event earlier on tonight.

“The only team that contacted me was AC Milan but it was decided by Inter that they wanted to pay me to stay at home, so I stayed at home.”

Spalletti then spoke on the current race for the Serie A title.

“As a fan, I think it has been a good season. Juventus are certainly ahead, but Inter are very strong and have achieved some important results.

“I am pleased that they have carried on the work that has been done in previous years. My Inter had their objectives and we achieved them. Today’s Inter has their objectives and are in the running to achieve them.”

He was then asked if he has any regrets about not being able to carry on at Inter.

“I feel fine, they made their choice. You do not have to compare that period with this period. The club are performing consistently and it seems to me that they are carrying things out in the most correct way possible. Their growth is in line with what it must be.”

Next he spoke on whether Radja Nainggolan could make an impact in this season’s Inter.

“I don’t know but he is a very strong player.”

He then dismissed the idea that he has less room for manoeuvre than new manager Antonio Conte has had.

“No, when I was in charge we had to respect financial fair play. President Zhang did his best he could. Now there are other possibilities and he is doing the same again. The fundamental thing is to give satisfaction to the Inter fans.”

He also spoke on whether Christian Eriksen’s arrival at Inter is comparable to that of Cristiano Ronaldo’s to Juventus.

“I don’t know but he certainly has important qualities. Conte went for him because he knows that he will be useful to him. Inter know too that he will be useful for the objectives they wish to achieve.”