Osimhen’s manager named new coach of Italy

Luciano Spalletti under whose tenure as manager of Napoli Nigeria’s Victor Osimhen achieved his best ever season in Europe, has been named the new Italian manager in succession to Roberto Mancini who resigned earlier in the week.

He guided the Osimhen-inspired Napoli to their first ever Serie A title in over 30 years.

Factbox on Luciano Spalletti, who was appointed Italy manager on Friday.

Born: March 7, 1959 in Certaldo, Italy.

PLAYING CAREER

* Played as a semi-professional midfielder for third-tier Serie C teams.

* Ended his playing career in 1993 at Empoli.

MANAGERIAL CAREER

* Began his managerial career with Empoli shortly after retirement and guided the team to consecutive promotions from Serie C1 to the top-flight Serie A.

* Moved to Sampdoria in 1998 but left after one year to take over Venezia for another short spell.

* Was replaced as manager by David Platt in mid-season but recalled when the former England midfielder resigned after only six matches in charge.

* Had two spells as head coach of Udinese in 2001 and 2002-2005 with a short period as Ancona manager in between.

* Took Udinese to the Champions League after finishing fourth in Serie A during the 2004-05 season.

* Named AS Roma manager in 2005 and won the Italian Cup twice and Italian Super Cup before resigning in September 2009.

* Appointed Zenit St Petersburg manager in December 2009. Stayed in Russia five years and won the Premier League twice.

* Sacked in March 2014 after two seasons without a trophy.

* Took over Roma again in January 2016 before leaving by mutual consent at the end of the 2016-17 season.

* Took over as Inter Milan manager from 2017-19 before getting sacked at the end of the season.

* Named Napoli manager in 2021, leading them to third place in Serie A before making them champions in 2022-23.

* Left Napoli at the end of last season after asking for a sabbatical.

* Appointed Italy manager on Friday.