Napoli president Aurelio de Laurentiis insists he's spoken to coach Rafa Benitez about his contract.

De Laurentiis says he's discussed their future with the Spaniard.

"There's always been great respect and even friendship between myself and Benitez," De Laurentiis told Radio Kiss Kiss Napoli.

"All the things I've read just make me smile. It's true that I met him on Monday, and we were alone. It was a meeting to clarify the circumstances for the important matches we have coming up.

"I read in the newspapers that the Spaniard was waiting for news about the stadium and facilities.

"I told him that we've already started talking about San Paolo with the architects of Juventus Stadium, if all goes well and the city council doesn't delay things, we'll deliver the project on May 31.

"On March 1 next year we could start work. Napoli are second to none, and, for me, Benitez is a great Coach who can take us forward.

"We'll give the people of Naples a stadium deserving of the name, without moving from San Paolo.

"If Benitez stays, I'll be the happiest man in the world, if not we'll find someone else.

"I've told Benitez he can stay for another year, or another five. Perhaps a good solution would be for his family [who live in England] to live in Rome, which is just two hours from Naples.

"If he wants to stay for another five years that would make me happy, Benitez told me he'll talk with his family and we'll meet again on Saturday."