Napoli Ultras Return Items Stolen From Spalletti’s Car Two Years Ago As Farewell Gift

• Luciano Spalletti has managed his final game in charge of Napoli and will proceed on his sabbatical
• He guided the team to its first Serie A title in 33 years and decided to leave on a high note
• Friction between him and club president, Aurelio De Laurentiis was key to his decision

Napoli ultras have kept a promise made to Luciano Spalletti in 2021 and given him a bizarre farewell gift as he steps down after guiding the team to the Italian Serie A title.

Spalletti took over the team in 2021 to replace Gennaro Gattuso, helped the team to a 3rd place finish, and qualified for the Champions League for the first time in two years.

He did not immediately become a fan favourite in his first year. It was his second season that changed Neapolitans' hearts towards him.

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According to GiveMeSport, the ultras, who were not impressed by his slow start, broke into his Fiat Panda and stole his steering wheel and some CDs. They made a banner telling him it would be returned if he leaves.

Napoli ultras return Spalletti’s items

According to a video published on Twitter by SportBible, the fans met the 64-year-old and presented him with a giant box containing the items stolen from his car during the protests.

They kept their promise, and it was all fun between the manager and the group. The Ultras also held up the banner from 2021, which left the former Roma manager cracking up.

Spalletti described the Scudetto-winning year as the best of his life, and clarified to fans that he is leaving because he does not have the energy to deliver what the people around him love.

He delivered a few cryptic press conferences on his future after Napoli were confirmed champions against Udinese last month, before confirming the news of his departure at the end of May.

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Spalletti threatens to walk

Sports Brief earlier reported that Spalletti threatened to leave the stadium if the fans’ protests persisted at the Estadio Diego Armando Maradona in April.

Fans protested a hike in ticket prices at the UEFA Champions League quarter-final game against AC Milan, which they eventually lost on aggregate.