Luciano Spalletti reflected on how Napoli won the Scudetto and hinted that he’d stay with the club beyond this season.
The 64-year-old Italian coach has been linked with a possible departure from the Serie A champions in the summer, with some reports suggesting that tension was brewing between him and club president Aurelio De Laurentiis.
Last week, it was reported that Spalletti had resolved these issues and agreed a new two-year contract with Napoli, raising his salary from €2.8m net to €3.5m net per season. This was an important step, especially considering that director Cristiano Giuntoli will likely leave.
Speaking after receiving the Bulgarelli Award via Calciomercato.com, Spalletti was first grateful for being recognised for his work with Napoli this season.
“Receiving it in the year Napoli became Italian champions takes on special importance for me, so I thank my players and Napoli.
“Then I talk about the behaviour: my players throughout the whole year were committed and did well what was asked of them, with maximum availability.
“They showed that attachment to the jersey of which Bulgarelli was an absolute example.”
The 64-year-old Italian coach then explained how Napoli ended a 33-year wait to win the Serie A title this campaign.
“When you go to put a heavy hand on a team, you have to replace strong players with other strong players. Maybe they were unknown, but there are videos, you get information, you get everywhere.
“The biggest part was done by director Giuntoli, who has great quality in doing this. Another characteristic a coach needs is to have the conviction that he is dealing with strong players.
“We were sure of that, then we set to work with maximum discipline and maximum time availability, it is always the time you dedicate to something that makes the difference. It’s serious work that leads to the end result.”
Finally, Spalletti smiled as he was asked if he’d be staying with Napoli beyond this season.
“Napoli has taught the world how to celebrate a Scudetto, how to make everyone share in the joy of a city, that happiness has no boundaries. The club has to say that, put it that way, but I had already said it.”