Former Inter Milan CEO Ernesto Paolillo feels that Luciano Spalletti has decided to leave Napoli on similar terms to when Jose Mourinho departed from Inter in the summer of 2010 to join Real Madrid.
Speaking to Italian broadcaster Radio Punto Nuovo, via FCInterNews, Paolillo made the comparison between the Partenopei’s imminent exit and Mourinho stepping down as Nerazzurri coach immediately after winning the European Treble at the San Siro.
Spalletti has sent shockwaves around the world of Italian football by confirming that he intends to step down as Napoli coach.
Often, coaches are sacked or part ways with clubs after they fail to have the team performing. Quite contrary to this, Spalletti has just guided Napoli to their first Serie A title in over three decades.
The 64-year-old also took the Azzurri to the Champions League quarterfinal.
However, things seem to have soured a bit behind the scenes.
Moreover, former Inter, Roma, and Zenit St. Petersburg coach Spalletti may well feel that there’s nothing more left for him to do at Napoli.
The coach has done something that few coaches will ever manage to in winning the Scudetto.
Paolillo: Spalletti Leaving Napoli Like Mourinho Did Inter
Another coach who left a major Italian club when he seemingly had little reason to was Mourinho.
The Portuguese tactician had won the Serie A title in both of his two seasons at the helm of the Nerazzurri. Moreover, in his second spell in charge at the San Siro, Mourinho also won the Coppa Italia and the Champions League.
However, Mourinho seemed to sense that it was time for a new challenge. The team had barely finished winning the Champions League, and he was already off to Real Madrid.
“It was certainly a shame to see Spalletti leave,” Paolillo said.
He looked back that “When Jose Mourinho left after winning the Treble, I suffered a lot.”
“A coach, however, understands when he’s given everything to a team,” he continued. “Hnd how much investment would be required to continue to allow it to grow even further.”
Paolillo remarked taht “Mourinho understood that it was the end of that Inter team.”
“Spalletti will have understood more or less the same for this Napoli,” he added.
