Luciano Spalletti is excited about taking charge of Zenit St Petersburg.

The 2008 UEFA Cup winners formally appointed Spalletti late last week after months of speculation.

"Zenit and Empoli have the same colours, blue and white. This is an advantage. It will make me feel at home," said Spalletti, who ended his playing career and started his coaching career with the Tuscan club.

"Zenit are a young and open club that knows how to organise and put itself to work. It seems to me there is an important project behind it. We'll see how it goes.

"Our job is particularly difficult and strange. Until today I have had a little luck. I hope to continue to have it for some more years to come."