Udinese sporting director Pierpaolo Marino isn't surprised by Luciano Spalletti's impact with Napoli.

Marino admits he tried to hire Spalletti when he was in charge of Napoli.

He recalled: "I can only speak well of Spalletti, I worked there for four years together.

"I wanted him in Naples in the years of his return to Serie A but then the operation didn't materialise.

"After (Edy) Reja's first two years, when (Roberto) Donadoni then arrived, in reality I had contacted Spalletti and the coach at that moment did not feel ready to come to Naples."