Napoli defender Juan Jesus feels that coach Luciano Spalletti has been a major factor in his career development.
Speaking to Napoli’s official YouTube channel, as reported via FCInterNews, the Brazilian noted that it had been the coach who ultimately convinced him to make the move from Inter to Roma in 2016, whilst he felt that he had an up-and-down time at the Nerazzurri.
Jesus has proven to be a player who Spalletti feels that he can consistently rely upon.
The 31-year-old was signed by the coach on a free transfer from Roma last summer as one of the first arrivals of his tenure in charge in Naples.
The trust between the pair was built during their time together at the Giallorossi.
Jesus had some standout performances for Inter but also some very difficult periods, though as he revealed Nerazzurri coach Roberto Mancini still wanted to keep him, but ultimately it was Spalletti who convinced him to leave Inter.
“Spalletti is someone who’s helped me out a lot,” the defender explained, “he was the one who wanted me when I was at Inter.”
“I could have stayed, Mancini he wanted to keep me, he asked me if I was leaving, no one told me anything.”
Jesus continued that “Roma had been in good form for years, they were in the Champions League, and then Spalletti told me that he really wanted to signed me.”
“I knew that I could stay, I have a very emotional relationship with Inter, it was my first team in Europe, almost like a first girlfriend, I have enormous respect for the team and for its fans.”
“I decided to make the move because I wanted something more,” the Brazilian said.
“I had good and bad times there, but they helped me grow and I matured.”
