Shocker: Napoli’s lawyer warns Italy and ex-Osimhen’s coach Spalletti
Napoli‘s lawyer Mattia Grassani insists Luciano Spalletti’s clause is valid for clubs and national teams and ‘must be fully respected.’
The Certaldo-born tactician is the leading candidate to replace Roberto Mancini at the helm of La Nazionale, but the FIGC won’t pay a €3m clause agreed by the coach when he left Napoli after winning the Serie A title in 2022-23.
“Napoli didn’t demand compensation after Spalletti decided to terminate his contract early, but the coach said he would not carry out any activity in 2023-24 and this is valid for clubs and national teams,” Napoli lawyer Grassani told Radio Punto Nuovo on Thursday.
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“Napoli had to protect themselves with financial compensation if the coach had not respected the agreement. There is no anti-competition clause, there is no difference between clubs and national teams.
“After nearly one week of rumours, Spalletti hasn’t yet called De Laurentiis or Napoli,” Grassani continued.
“Neither he nor his lawyers did so and this must give food for thought. Respecting the rules is fundamental for any subject.
“The clause is not such a simple matter. It’s something agreed upon at the end of lengthy negotiations in a seven-page document signed by Spalletti, Napoli and the lawyers of both parties.
“I understand the position of other clubs who do not want to see a club get public money. The federation belongs to everyone but it has no role in this situation. They could only pay the release clause through a third party, a sponsor, or even Spalletti.
“He deserves to coach the national team, he is a more than adequate candidate. However, we signed an agreement on July 18, 2023, and it can’t be questioned after barely one month. It allowed Spalletti to be free, so it must be respected totally and not partially.”