He analyzed the match, he also highlighted the mistakes made by his team, he spoke of “always a dirty trick” but at the end of the interview with Sky, after his Italy’s success against Albania in their debut at Euro2024, he looked at the camera sending a message: “Congratulations Marcello”. Then he left. For Luciano Spalletti, June 15th is never a day like any other, but the birthday of his beloved brother who died five years ago.
Marcello Spalletti, an example for the coach
It was the May 28, 2019in fact, when Marcello Spalletti, brother of the then Inter coach, died at the age of 66 after a bad illness. A shock for the coach, who was very close to him. Born in Colle Val d’Elsa but actually Havana, Marcello Spalletti worked for the company for years of Modyva clothing, in Empoli, and then started a sofa and armchair company: Trio, managed with his brother. But his life has been in football, and is with the Havana’s yellow and black club to have left the most beautiful memories. Here he covered all roles: footballer, coach and manager. Up to the position of vice president. One day the team he coached, with whom he had a very strong bond, gave him a real donkey: Marcello, in training, he often repeated to his players that “they were donkeys” after a wrong stop or a sky-high shot. He took that donkey – called Gavri – home, looking after him like a son.
Spalletti’s first teacher was his brother Marcello
For Luciano Spalletti, his brother – who everyone called “il Komandante” – was an authentic point of reference, especially after the premature death of his father Carlo. But he also often helped him with schemes and tactics or perhaps giving him good advice to boost the morale of one of the many champions coached by his brother. Marcello was 6 years older than Luciano, divided only by their footballing faith, Marcello supported Juve, Luciano supported Fiorentina before becoming a fan of all the teams they coached. When his brother fell ill he sometimes skipped Inter training to go and visit him in that little village between Empoli, Vinci and Montaione where he carried on his activity at Avane football club and managed the “Remittance”the approximately 50 hectare estate owned by the family.
The dedication after winning the scudetto
Already two years ago, after having won the scudetto with Napoli thanks to the equalizer against Udine, Spalletti had a thought for his dead brother. The smile gave way to tears for a heartfelt and moving dedication. And so yesterday, on his birthday, the coach wanted to dedicate his success in his debut at the European Championships to his brother who passed away but was never forgotten.
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