Former Roma coach Luciano Spalletti has spoken for the first time about taking the Zenit St Petersburg job.

Spalletti resigned from Roma a few weeks into the season and has signed up to take charge of Russian club Zenit.

"The truth is I never wanted to stop working, but at times situations arise where you end up having to do what you didn't want to," he told alphaomeggart.it.

"This is my work and my life, so I dive right back into it with great hunger. Why Zenit? Because they showed extraordinary interest in me.

"They gave me the time to calmly consider the proposal and get to know the environment, structures, a young club management system. All of these are important elements for a choice like this."

He added: "I don't go out looking for the best contract, but so that I can work in the best way for my club, to build a project that can bring them a stable future both domestically and in Europe. To do all this I need the ideal circumstances both on and off the field, which means bringing my family with me."

Spalletti had been linked with a future at Milan, Juventus or even the Italy squad.

"Among my objectives was an experience overseas. I intend to bring with me the best of Italian football, which has many qualities. The passion of the people is second to none and if we can once and for all eliminate the exasperation caused by results, then they give a crucial contribution to our professional lives."