New Roma coach Luciano Spalletti says the club has always been in his heart.

Spalletti has been named new Roma coach after Rudi Garcia's sacking.

“I've never forgotten my time here and Roma have never left my heart," Spalletti told Roma's official website. “I'm excited because I know what the merits of this city, this club and this team are. It's exciting to work with such worthy people.

“Did I think I'd be back? I've seen things happen in football that I thought would never come to pass. I always had that hope because Rome is a fantastic place to be.

“As I said, I never detached myself from Roma. My family and I only moved away for a year but then my son came back to study – he's a Roma fan and knows everything about the club.

“I know quite a lot. The team is very different and I know a lot of good restructuring work has gone on – generally speaking – which I think in some ways was necessary.

“If I think back to my past time at Roma I'm fond of everything because it was a very intense experience. There were several stages to it and it was an important part of my life, both professionally speaking and on a personal level.

“I'll never forget those Champions League nights with the Olimpico packed out. The song they sing at the stadium is another thing I've never forgotten.

“The message is the same one I gave when I first came here: I'll arrive at the training ground early, I'll leave late and I'll spend every minute there trying to help our team and our club."