It’s been a week full of awards for Luciano Spalletti. After being named as the best head coach for the 2022/23 season at the Gran Galà del Calcio on Monday evening in Milan and as coach of the year during yesterday's Gazzetta Sports Awards ceremony, the National Team Head Coach received honorary citizenship of Naples in the Sala dei Baroni at the Maschio Angioino castle this morning. This prestigious recognition comes after leading Napoli to the third Scudetto in their history but also because of his contribution to enhancing the image, prestige and identity of Naples. These were the reasons behind the decision taken by the Naples City Council at the recommendation of Mayor Gaetano Manfredi, who presented Spalletti with a parchment and medal from the city.

“Being awarded honorary citizenship is hugely significant and I’m overjoyed. From this moment, I’m an official ‘scugnizzo’ (Naples street urchin). What a big responsibility you’ve given me! I’d like to thank the mayor, the councillors, Giuntoli and De Laurentiis, as well as the club and the players, the architects of beauty around the world. I’m very emotional, and I had a very strong team. This honour shows the human connection I have with the people of Naples. When I became the Napoli head coach, my request was to have a stadium constantly behind us. From an average crowd of 20-25,000, the stadium became a place that was always full. Naples is my home. I don’t deserve all of this and no ordinary mortal could possibly deserve this, so thank you.

Spalletti also touched on Italy’s EURO 2024 ambitions: “We’re the reigning champions, so, as we take to the pitch at the Euros, we can’t possibly downplay the history created by our legendary players of the past.”

“Today is a fantastic day for our city,” said Mayor Manfredi after greeting city councillors and Napoli President Aurelio De Laurentiis, who was among those present. “Winning a Scudetto in Naples is different compared to winning it elsewhere; there’s a visceral love between the city and the team. In order to leave a mark in Naples, it takes a special man who understands our culture and devotes himself to the soul of this city. Spalletti did exactly this: he was dedicated, he loved, he was loved, and he won. When you win in Naples, it’s a special victory. The choice to award Spalletti with honorary citizenship is one of real substance. All of us are pleased that he remains a citizen of the city, continues to be one as the National Team Head Coach, promotes the name of Naples - as he already has done with the extraordinary Scudetto victory - and is testament to the fact that being Neapolitan is something special. And Spalletti is a special citizen.”

Aurelio De Laurentiis was also full of praise for Spalletti: “He was a brilliant motivator, a real leader. Over the past 19 years, I’ve learnt that a player’s attention span is very short if you don’t adopt methods such as the ones Spalletti used. He was also exemplary in his interviews, and I wanted everyone to take inspiration from him and his teachings.”