Soccer Football - Serie A - Udinese v Napoli - Dacia Arena, Udine, Italy - May 4, 2023 Napoli coach Luciano Spalletti waits for the final whistle before winning Serie A REUTERS/Jennifer Lorenzini

Spalletti Muses on the Meaning of Scudetto for Naples

Luciano Spalletti took a big-picture and philosophical approach to comment on Napoli’s third title in his post-game remarks to Sky.

“Happiness is fleeting. We won but have to re-start now. That takes something away from it, but seeing the Partenopei smile is the biggest emotion to me, and they pass it along. The problem was reaching this goal when you have an entire city breathing down your neck. Many people will get through hard times thanks to this victory. We have this great responsibility. We are more relaxed for giving them this joy.”

Spalletti hailed the prestige of the club.

“Winning is mandatory because great players and managers have been part of this team. The supporters witnessed Diego Armando Maradona first-hand, and he protected us from above. I was asked to finish in the top four. When I stated that we should aim for the title, they told me that I took it too far, but I did it to motivate my players and build this mentality. This season is the second half of what we started last year. Rafa Benitez, Carlo Ancelotti, Maurizio Sarri, which had the best football in Italy, and Gennaro Gattuso, who won the Coppa Italia, coached here.”

President Aurelio De Laurentiis confirmed Spalletti at the helm in his speech, and the boss had a gripe about it.

“This day repays me of many things. The chairman should tell me and not you journalists about it.”

According to Gianluca Di Marzio, the gaffer wasn’t thrilled that he received confirmation that the option to renew his contract was picked up through a letter and not in a more direct way. The two will have a meeting to hash out some lingering disagreements.

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