Spalletti congratulates Napoli for 2024-25 Serie A title: ‘I cried for two hours’

Italy national team head coach Luciano Spalletti says that he ‘cried for two hours’ watching his former club Napoli during their celebrations after winning the 2024-25 Serie A title. 

Spalletti was at the helm in Naples in 2022-23, when the Partenopei won their first Scudetto in over 30 years, dating back to the Diego Maradona era. Napoli have since won their second league title in three years, claiming the honours for 2024-25 in the final round of the season. 

Spalletti, now head coach of the Italy national team, did not send any public messages to his former club in the immediate aftermath of their 2024-25 Scudetto, but has since had an opportunity to congratulate his old club during his press conference at Coverciano on Sunday. 

Spalletti sends congratulations to former club Napoli

The CT revealed that he spoke privately with Napoli captain Giovanni Di Lorenzo, who is also part of the Italy squad for the upcoming June World Cup qualifiers. 

He also insists that ‘full credit’ must go to Napoli head coach Antonio Conte, who helped turn the team around following a 10th place finish in Serie A last season. 

Spalletti added that he cried ‘for two hours’ while watching Napoli celebrate during their parade through the city of Naples last week. 

“I didn’t make any posts, but of course I sent Di Lorenzo a message to congratulate him on what they achieved, something extraordinary, especially after the tough moment they came from,” Spalletti said at his press conference on Sunday, attended by Football Italia. 

“But full credit must go to Conte and the players for what they showed throughout the entire season,” he added. 

“They were a real team from start to finish. Consistent performances and a growing understanding of the game, refined over time. 

“The rest is thanks to the greatness of the Neapolitan tifosi. I cried for two hours watching the parade. All I can say is well done, really well done.”