Luciano Spalletti all set to start his new innings at AS Roma

Rome: After more than six years away from Serie A, Luciano Spalletti is looking forward to coaching in his home league again.

Roma's next coach was welcomed by about 50 fans at the city's main airport on Thursday as he prepares to take over the club from fired Rudi Garcia.

Spalletti flew to Miami to work out contract details with Roma's American president Jim Pallotta and he returned to Italy with the club's director general Mauro Baldissoni.

While he hadn't been informally introduced yet, Spalletti says "I'm happy to be back in this league."

Spalletti spent five years with Zenit St. Petersburg after first coaching Roma from 2005-09.

Roma fired Garcia on Wednesday after only one win in their last 10 matches in all competitions.