Spalletti on Napoli's title win: 'I cried for two hours'

Italian national team coach Luciano Spalletti has never hidden his deep emotional connection to Napoli, the club he led to one of the most memorable Serie A triumphs in recent history.

That bond was once again made clear as he revealed during a press conference that he cried for two hours while watching the championship celebrations in Naples. For Spalletti, the scenes of joy in the southern Italian city brought back powerful memories of a historic campaign and a personal milestone in his long managerial career.

The title, secured in the 2022/23 season, was Napoli’s third-ever Scudetto and their first since the days of Diego Maradona, 33 years earlier. It marked not only a triumphant moment for the club and its loyal, football-obsessed fanbase but also the culmination of decades of frustration, near misses, and heartbreak. Under Spalletti’s guidance, Napoli played with elegance, intensity, and remarkable consistency, dominating the league and clinching the title with several matches to spare. His tactical system, built around key figures like Victor Osimhen, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, and Giovanni Di Lorenzo, earned widespread acclaim across Europe.

For Spalletti himself, who had enjoyed a long and respectable coaching career with stints at Roma, Inter, Udinese, and Zenit Saint Petersburg, it was the crowning achievement. Despite having won domestic trophies abroad and achieving Champions League qualification with several clubs, the Scudetto had always eluded him. Lifting the Serie A trophy with Napoli a club historically seen as an outsider to the northern dominance of Juventus, Milan, and Inter was not only a professional triumph but a deeply personal vindication.

However, the euphoria of the title win was quickly followed by internal strife. Spalletti’s relationship with Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis deteriorated in the weeks after the season ended, with disagreements over the club’s direction, player management, and the coach’s future role. Unable to find common ground, Spalletti made the difficult decision to step away from the club, announcing he would take a sabbatical from coaching. He later returned to the dugout in a new and equally demanding role head coach of the Italian national team.

Now 66 years old, Spalletti brings his unique blend of tactical acumen, emotional intelligence, and fiery passion to the Azzurri. As Italy prepares for two key World Cup qualifiers against Wales on Tuesday, June 3 at 19:30 and away to Moldova on Monday, June 9 at 20:45 Spalletti remains firmly focused on building a squad capable of returning Italy to the top of the international game. But even with new responsibilities on his shoulders, he hasn’t forgotten the chapter that defined his legacy in Italian club football.

Speaking to the press, Spalletti explained how deeply moved he was by Napoli’s latest title win under new manager Antonio Conte. “After that title I won, the people of Naples only had to wait two years for the next one, but it was by no means guaranteed,” he said. “The previous season was very difficult they finished tenth. But all the credit must go to Conte and the players for what they’ve shown throughout the season. It’s been a masterclass in resilience and cohesion.”

He continued with heartfelt praise for his former club and their supporters. “They were a true team from start to finish. Consistent performances, and a growing understanding of the game that became more refined over time. The rest is thanks to the greatness of the Neapolitan supporters. I cried for two hours while watching the parade. All I can say is: well done, really well done.”

Spalletti also revealed that he had not commented publicly on Napoli’s latest Scudetto until now, but had personally reached out to some of the key figures in the squad. One of them was Giovanni Di Lorenzo, the Napoli captain and Spalletti’s trusted right-back in the Italian national team. “I didn’t post anything on social media,” Spalletti admitted, “but of course I sent Di Lorenzo a message to congratulate him. What they achieved was extraordinary, especially given the tough period they came from.”

His emotional reflection is a reminder that football is more than tactics and results it’s about identity, belonging, and the bonds that form between a coach, a city, and its people. Spalletti's tears weren’t just for a team lifting a trophy, but for a story that began with promise, was tested by hardship, and ended in triumph. And although he now leads Italy in their quest for World Cup qualification, part of his heart clearly remains in Naples among the narrow streets, the blue flags, and the fans who still sing his name.