Chelsea are expected to approach Napoli manager Luciano Spalletti and his representatives over the managerial vacancy at Stamford Bridge, according to reports.
Last month, Italian outlet Il Mattino claimed that Chelsea had kept an eye on Napoli boss Spalletti despite the board’s support in Graham Potter.
Obviously, the Blues confirmed Potter’s departure on Sunday, so it is hardly a surprise that Spalletti is considered among the candidates to succeed the former Brighton manager at Chelsea.
According to The Telegraph, Chelsea plan to interview at least five candidates before making their decision.
It remains unclear whether Spalletti, who is having a successful season with Napoli both domestically and in Europe, would be interested in leaving Italy in the first place, but Chelsea are expected to make a move, regardless.
Spalletti’s current deal, which he signed in 2021, expires at the end of the season, but reports in Italy suggest that Napoli hold an option to trigger a one-year extension.
Napoli are even expected to offer the 64-year-old an improved deal after leading them to a comfortable lead in Serie A and the Champions League quarter-finals this season.
Despite Napoli’s 4-0 defeat to AC Milan on Sunday, they are still 16 points clear at the top of the Serie A table and are very close to securing their first scudetto in over 30 years.
So, not only that Chelsea would have to convince Spalletti to leave a comfortable position at Napoli but they would likely have to reach an agreement with Napoli if they were to go with this option.
Many Chelsea fans would also have reservations about Spalletti’s capability to be in charge of the Chelsea project under the new ownership group.
Bear in mind that a five-year spell at Zenit St. Petersburg is the former Spezia midfielder’s only experience in management outside Italy.
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