Antonio Conte is expected to leave SSC Napoli at the end of the season, with the Italian champions already accelerating plans to appoint a new manager ahead of what could become another major summer of change in Serie A.
According to reports in Italy, Conte is preparing to say farewell to supporters following Napoli’s final league match against Udinese Calcio at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on Sunday.
Although no official announcement has yet been made, signs of an imminent departure are becoming increasingly evident. Conte reportedly hosted a farewell barbecue for players and staff at Castel Volturno following training this week, while sources close to the club indicate that discussions regarding his exit are already advanced.
The former Juventus F.C., Chelsea F.C. and Tottenham Hotspur F.C. manager is set to leave Napoli after a successful two-year spell that delivered the club’s fourth Serie A title, together with an Italian Super Cup triumph.
Reports suggest the separation between Conte and club president Aurelio De Laurentiis will be amicable, with mutual respect remaining intact despite the decision to part ways. Conte is also reportedly prepared to waive the remaining salary owed on his contract, which runs until 2027.
Attention has now shifted towards identifying his successor.
One of the leading candidates had been Maurizio Sarri, who appears increasingly likely to leave S.S. Lazio after a difficult campaign in the capital. Maurizio Sarri had already been the coach of the Azzurri from 2015 to 2018.
However, Sarri is now believed to be close to joining Atalanta BC instead, where he could reunite with sporting director Cristiano Giuntoli as the Bergamo club prepares for another ambitious project following a hugely successful period under Gian Piero Gasperini.
With Sarri moving closer towards Atalanta, Napoli’s search has reportedly narrowed to two names.
The first is Massimiliano Allegri, whose future at AC Milan remains uncertain despite an automatic contract renewal clause linked to Champions League qualification. Reports in Italy suggest Allegri’s agent Giovanni Branchini has maintained informal contact with Napoli sporting director Giovanni Manna in recent weeks.
The second option is Vincenzo Italiano, who continues to impress at Bologna FC 1909 and has long been admired by De Laurentiis for his attacking football philosophy and ability to develop competitive teams on limited budgets.
Although no direct negotiations have yet taken place with Italiano, his profile remains highly appreciated internally at Napoli.
De Laurentiis is understood to be keen to move quickly to avoid uncertainty ahead of next season, particularly with Napoli set to compete once again in the UEFA Champions League.
Conte’s departure will undoubtedly mark the end of an important chapter in Napoli’s recent history. However, the coming weeks could prove equally decisive as the club attempt to identify the man capable of continuing their domestic resurgence while establishing the Partenopei among Europe’s elite once again.
