Italy coach Luciano Spalletti fought back tears on his return at the Stadio Maradona for the first time since winning the Scudetto last season.
Spalletti is in the stands for Napoli‘s home game against Frosinone on Sunday, which you can follow live on the Football Italia LIVEBLOG.
The Certaldo-born coach appeared in the stadium’s giant screens before kick-off prompting Napoli fans to chant for their former boss.
Pictures and videos circulating on social media show a visibly moved Spalletti waving at the Partenopei fans.
Spalletti’s Napoli won the Scudetto last season. It was the third in the club’s history and the first in 33 years for the Azzurri.
The 65-year-old was appointed by Italy’s national team to replace Roberto Mancini in September 2023.
We're not crying it's just…Spalletti at the Stadio Maradona 🥹#NapoliFrosinone pic.twitter.com/jewDHs0Kz7
— Lega Serie A (@SerieA_EN) April 14, 2024
Napoli abbraccia chi ha fatto la sua storia 🫂💙
𝐒𝐩𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐢-𝐍𝐚𝐩𝐨𝐥𝐢 ♾️#Spalletti #NapoliFrosinone #DAZN pic.twitter.com/JvZ22eyBSc— DAZN Italia (@DAZN_IT) April 14, 2024
Spalletti è tornato a casa ed è subito lacrime a non finire.
Napoli sarà sempre casa tua Luciano. pic.twitter.com/1iNXW6IYqg
— SIR LUKE (@SirLuke_7) April 14, 2024
SPALLETTI pic.twitter.com/1drGbnNoBR
— Paola Rendina (@pabla77) April 14, 2024