Watch: Balaclava-clad ‘ultra’ fans give Napoli club manager unique parting gift

A departing Italian football manager has been given an unusual leaving present from his fans - the steering wheel and CDs that they had stolen from his car.

Luciano Spalletti has been hailed a legend in Naples after last month leading Napoli to their first Serie A title win in 33 years.

But when he started at the club ahead of the 2021/22 season, he was a great deal less popular.

After disappointing losses to other teams, a group of hardcore “ultra” fans broke into his Fiat Panda in October 2021 and swiped the steering wheel, along with a collection of CDs.

They then produced a huge banner with the message: “We’ll give it back to you - as long as you leave.”

But the stolen goods were finally returned this week in scenes captured on film and posted on social media.

The group of fans, their faces obscured by balaclavas, presented Spalletti with a large box containing the steering wheel and CDs.

The gesture prompted a slew of responses on social media.

“Mad, this. Only in Naples would you get a bunch of blokes in balaclavas handing back something they stole because you did what they want by winning the league,” wrote one football fan on Twitter.

Others were less amused. “So basically they will vandalise you and rob you, unless you win,” another fan tweeted.

Another supporter wrote: “Shouldn’t they be arrested? They stole it, right?”

Spalletti is taking a year-long sabbatical after Napoli’s triumphant victory, which is still being celebrated in the city. The club is on the hunt for a new manager.