Napoli manager Gennaro Gattuso has vacated his role following the club’s failure to qualify for the Champions League.
Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis has confirmed Gennaro Gattuso’s departure.
Despite leading the club to Coppa Italia glory last season, Gattuso’s future had been in doubt for some time. He was expected to leave even if Napoli had qualified for the Champions League.
But a 1-1 draw with Hellas Verona on Sunday allowed Juventus, who thrashed Bologna 4-1 on the same day, to leapfrog them for the final top-four spot in Serie A. The Partenopei, therefore, had to settle for fifth.
De Laurentiis later took to social media shortly after the match to confirm Gattuso’s departure.
Caro Rino, sono felice di aver trascorso quasi due stagioni con te. Ringraziandoti per il lavoro svolto, ti auguro successi ovunque tu vada. Un abbraccio anche a tua moglie e ai tuoi figli. Aurelio De Laurentiis
— AurelioDeLaurentiis (@ADeLaurentiis) May 23, 2021
“Dear Rino, I am happy to have spent the last two seasons with you,” he wrote on Twitter.
“Thanking you for the work done, I wish you success wherever you may go.
“I also send a hug to your wife and children. Aurelio De Laurentiis.”
Napoli’s official account has re-tweeted De Laurentiis’ post and included a second one thanking the manager.
Grazie Mister! pic.twitter.com/pt5BhpMm6a
— Official SSC Napoli (@sscnapoli) May 23, 2021
According to reports in Italy, Gattuso’s relationship with the board had become strained. He felt unprotected when results didn’t go his way in the winter amid the club’s rumored search for a new coach.
Former Juventus boss Massimiliano Allegri and ex-Inter Milan coach Luciano Spalletti are reportedly in contention to become Napoli’s next gaffer.
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