Sunday’s clash between Napoli and Juventus will be a deeply emotional one for Luciano Spalletti. The Tuscan coach returns to the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona for the first time as an opponent since leaving Naples in 2023, having led the Azzurri to their first Scudetto in over three decades.
Among the players who thrived under Spalletti during those unforgettable two seasons was Mario Rui. The Portuguese full-back, now a free agent, reflected on his time working with the coach and explained why Juventus have made the perfect choice by appointing him.
“Spalletti Is the Best for Juventus”
“The decision by Juventus to hire Spalletti didn’t surprise me,” Mario Rui said. “He’s the best — the most reliable coach around. Juventus needed a great manager, and with him they found exactly that. We shared so many wonderful moments together, and honestly, it would have been impossible to find anyone available who’s better than him.”
“Spalletti or Sarri? It’s Hard to Choose”
The ex-Napoli defender compared Spalletti with another of his former coaches, Maurizio Sarri, admitting both shaped different parts of his career.
“I’d find it tough to choose between him and Sarri,” he admitted. “Maurizio shaped me tactically and technically, giving me football knowledge that I’ve carried everywhere. But Spalletti is the most complete coach I’ve ever worked with. He’s the best when it comes to managing every aspect of the group — from tactics to the dressing room, even communication.”
“You’d Go Out on the Pitch and Fly”
Mario Rui described Spalletti’s inspirational pre-match speeches as a defining feature of his managerial style.
“The special thing about Spalletti is how he prepared his team talks,” Rui recalled. “Before every match, he crafted a speech that would fill you with emotion — he knew exactly how to touch your heart. You’d go out on the pitch and feel like you were flying.”
“The credit for that Scudetto, I’d say, is 80 per cent his. He lived at Castel Volturno — it became his bunker. He sacrificed everything, even his private life, for the team.”
“Conte and Spalletti? Honest and Straightforward”
The Portuguese full-back also spoke about the similarities between Antonio Conte, now Napoli’s head coach, and Spalletti.
“Conte really impressed me, even though I only worked with him for a short time,” Rui explained. “I didn’t know him and thought he was a defensive coach, but right away he showed a winning mentality. In pre-season he made it clear that he wanted Napoli to control the game.”
“Both he and Spalletti are honest and straightforward — qualities that are rare in football.”
