Luciano Spalletti’s career before joining Napoli

Luciano Spalletti is one of the most experienced managers in European football. Despite this, his appointment as manager of Napoli in 2021 raised quite a few eyebrows.

However, all doubts were erased in a colossal second season in which Napoli washed aside its rivals, including some of Spalletti’s previous teams.

Let’s have a look at Spalletti’s career highlights, focusing on the Italian Serie A, and better understand the manager’s enduring success.

Early Career: Grosseto, Spezia, and Venezia

Luciano Spalletti‘s journey as a football manager began in 1993 when he took charge of Empoli, an underperforming club competing in Italy’s Serie C1. Little could anyone have predicted the incredible success that would follow over time for him and Empoli.

Spalletti’s passion and devotion to the game were evident from his first success as he guided Empoli to promotion to Serie B, setting up for future successes. But it was managing lower-tier clubs like Grosseto, Spezia and Venezia where he really tested his mettle and developed his abilities.

Spalletti gained invaluable experience managing these clubs, which would serve him well in future roles. His tactical acumen and attention to detail earned him widespread praise, solidifying him as one of the managers to watch out for in the future.

With each new challenge, Spalletti demonstrated he was more than just a promising young manager – he was an unstoppable force in Italian football. Fans and pundits alike could sense something special was unfolding within this world of Italian football as Spalletti rose through the ranks.

Udinese

In 2002, Luciano Spalletti was appointed head coach of Udinese, one of Italy’s most promising football clubs. This appointment would pave the way for his meteoric rise to football stardom.

Spalletti made an immediate impact at Udinese, using his tactical understanding and man-management abilities to lead the team to qualification for the UEFA Cup. Fans and pundits were equally as amazed by his motivation of players and ability to devise winning game strategies – cementing him as one of Italy’s premier managers.

Spalletti’s success at Udinese was not to last forever. In 2005, he left the club, leaving behind a legacy of hard work and dedication. Incredible achievements had marked his tenure, yet it seemed clear that even greater things lay ahead for him in the future.

Spalletti’s success at Udinese was only the beginning. His passion and unrelenting drive to excel would take him to new heights in the years ahead, solidifying him as one of football’s most beloved managers.

AS Roma

In 2005, Luciano Spalletti was appointed head coach of Roma, one of Italy’s most beloved football clubs. This appointment would pave the way for some of Italy’s most thrilling football matches ever played.

Spalletti quickly made his mark at Roma, creating a disciplined and daring team. His tactical genius and motivational ability led the club to two consecutive second-place finishes in Serie A, thrilling fans and solidifying his status as one of football’s premier managers.

Spalletti’s tenure at Roma wasn’t without its challenges, however. In 2009 he retired from the club, leaving behind a legacy of hard work and dedication. Yet even after his departure, his impact on both the club and its supporters would endure for years to come.

Spalletti saw Roma as more than just a team; it was his passion, calling, and challenge. Although his tenure at the club may have been brief, it was marked by success, and innovation few managers could ever hope for.

Zenit St. Petersburg

Luciano Spalletti made a bold decision in 2009, leaving behind Italy’s sunny stadiums to take on Zenit St. Petersburg in Russia – and it proved to be an exemplary decision.

Spalletti made no delay in his career at Zenit, instilling a culture of discipline and hard work that would eventually lead them to their first Russian Premier League title in his inaugural season. Fans and pundits were equally as amazed by his ability to unite a team into one cohesive unit, inspiring them to play with an intensity few had ever witnessed before.

Spalletti had big plans for Zenit not just at home but abroad too – their journey to the round of 16 in UEFA Champions League proved a testament to his tactical mastery and capacity for leading his team through even the toughest challenges.

Unfortunately, Spalletti’s tenure at Zenit wasn’t to last forever. In 2014, he parted ways from the club, leaving behind a legacy of hard work and dedication that would inspire fans and players alike. Spalletti’s reign at Zenit had been marked by success and innovation that cemented his place among football managers throughout history.

Second run as AS Roma manager

After spending years managing in Russia, Luciano Spalletti returned home to Italy in 2016 to take charge of AS Roma once again. This decision delighted fans and marked a new chapter in his already illustrious career.

Spalletti wasted no time in getting to work, instilling discipline and focus that quickly translated into success on the pitch. His tactical brilliance and ability to motivate his players led Roma to a second-place finish in Serie A, solidifying him as one of football’s most gifted managers.

Spalletti’s time at Roma wasn’t without its challenges, however. In 2017, he finally left the club, leaving behind a legacy of hard work and devotion that had once again raised expectations for football managers everywhere.

Spalletti’s dream came true as he managed Roma, his passion for the club evident in every match he managed. Though his tenure may have been brief, his time at Roma was marked by incredible success and innovation that few managers could ever hope to match.

Inter Milan

In 2017, Luciano Spalletti took on a new challenge, becoming the head coach of one of Italy’s most storied football clubs – Inter Milan. It would be an endeavour that would leave behind him with an unparalleled legacy of success and innovation that few could ever hope to match.

Spalletti’s impact on Inter Milan was immediate and undeniable. His discipline and focus led to impressive results, leading the club to UEFA Champions League qualification in his debut season. His tactical prowess and ability to motivate his players made him a fan favorite and earned him the respect of football pundits worldwide.

Spalletti’s tenure at Inter Milan was short lived, however. In 2019, he departs the club, leaving behind a legacy of hard work and devotion that once again set the bar for football managers everywhere.

Spalletti’s role as manager at Inter Milan was a dream come true and his enthusiasm for the club was evident in every match he managed. Throughout his tenure at the club, Spalletti achieved incredible successes and innovations that became his hallmark, inspiring his players to perform at their peak performance and achieve what seemed impossible.

Spalletti’s legacy at Inter Milan will live on, bearing testament to his remarkable talent as a manager and dedication to the game of football.

Fiorentina

After leaving Inter Milan, Luciano Spalletti took charge of Fiorentina – another big-name Italian football club. A new challenge had been presented to him and he eagerly accepted it, eager to bring his special brand of footballing skillset to the team.

Unfortunately, Spalletti’s tenure at Fiorentina was short-lived. After only a few months, he left the club, leaving behind only an empty legacy of what could have been. It was an unfortunate turn of events for both him and his fans who had hoped for yet another stunning display from their maestro themselves.

Even in his brief tenure at the club, Spalletti had already made an impact. His hard work ethic and attention to detail had already begun to rub off on players, creating the conditions for what could have been a successful tenure had he remained longer.

Though Spalletti’s tenure at Fiorentina may have been brief, his impact on the club will last for years to come. As one of football’s great managers, his legacy remains intact.

Napoli, a career highlight

As we close in on Luciano Spalletti’s remarkable career as a football manager, it is impossible not to be inspired by his astounding successes and the lasting impression he has left on each team he has managed. From Empoli to Udinese, Roma, Zenit St. Petersburg – Spalletti has consistently displayed an impeccable command of tactical and strategic aspects of the game.

His accomplishments are numerous, from leading Udinese to qualify for the UEFA Cup to leading Roma to two successive second-place finishes in Serie A. At Zenit St. Petersburg, he led his team to victories in both the Russian Premier League and UEFA Champions League competitions.

Although his tenure at Fiorentina was brief, Spalletti’s impact on the team was undeniable, and his reputation as an accomplished and successful manager remains undiminished.

Luciano Spalletti and Napoli are on the brink of winning their sixth Scudetto title, making this his greatest triumph.

Luciano Spalletti’s career has been an amazing journey of passion, determination, and excellence. As he embarks on his latest challenge with Napoli, we eagerly anticipate seeing what he will accomplish next.