Maurizio Sarri is the banker who became the coach, the coach who was sought after oiling the Naples machinery with flowing speed football. For three years they played Europe's most attractive football, led by Captain Marek Hamsik.
Dries Mertens was moved in centrally and acted false nine, flanked by José Callejon and the city's little boy Lorenzo Insigne. Napoli became a title candidate, a dreaded opponent - but then Sarri disappeared to Chelsea.
The stories fall apart about what happened. Sarri himself thinks that he was told on the TV news that Carlo Ancelotti should shoulder his mantle. Naples outspoken president Aurelio De Laurentiis released another version yesterday.
"He betrayed me"- One day Sarri invited me to lunch at his home in Tuscany. His wife was there. He did not mention anything about leaving. He stuck with the vulgar excuse that spelled "money". He failed me.
Then he aimed the next boot at his previously extended arm.
- Three unforgettable years? Ah, it's not just the director who makes the film, but the producer as well. Who recruited players like Cavani and Higuain? Was it Sarri?
In Chelsea, Sarri took her only title, a gold in the Europa League. Then he moved to Italy, but not home to Naples. He was born in the city, but chose to take over Juventus to win.
In the eternal cityTonight, Sarri stands at the sidelines and De Laurentiis at the stands. It will be crowded but prestigious when Juventus and Napoli step out at Stadio Olimpico, when black and white weight meets light blue optimism. "Juve" is a favorite, but eight years ago Napoli won the same final.
Gennaro Gattuso is the coach of Naples. He has lost his sister in corona and wants to find solace in winning for her. He has his attacking trio intact and giant Kalidou Koulibaly as the defensive lineman.
Juventus sends Gianluigi Buffon between the posts and Cristiano Ronaldo at the top, probably in the company of Paulo Dybala. If the champions do the job, Sarri can count on her second title in her career - and her very first in Italy.