Conte to depart Napoli amid Italy national team speculation
Napoli’s Scudetto-winning coach cites personal reasons for exit, positioning himself as frontrunner for the Italian FA presidency decision on June 22.
Antonio Conte is set to conclude his tenure as Napoli head coach at the end of the current Serie A season, citing personal reasons for the decision. Despite holding a contract that runs until the summer of 2027, the 56-year-old manager will not remain on the bench for the upcoming campaign. This development follows a successful period at the club, which saw Conte secure the 2024-25 Scudetto and the Supercoppa Italian.
Conte’s departure comes after a challenging second season in charge, where injuries and the demands of the Champions League prevented Napoli from maintaining pace with league leaders Inter. The club had focused exclusively on domestic competition during his first season, having failed to qualify for European tournaments the previous year. Financial investments, including the acquisitions of Scott McTominay and Romelu Lukaku, were instrumental in restoring the club’s success after a disappointing campaign under previous manager Luciano Spalletti.
The manager reportedly informed club president Giovanni Malagò of his intentions more than a month ago. Speaking to DAZN before the final Serie A match, Conte confirmed that the president was aware of his decision to step back. The timing of the exit aligns with growing speculation regarding the future of the Italy national team, which has failed to qualify for the World Cup for the third consecutive time.
Conte is widely considered the leading candidate to return as Italy manager, a role he previously held from 2014 to 2016. During that period, he led the Azzurri to the quarterfinals of the 2016 UEFA European Championship. His potential return is contingent upon the outcome of the Italian FA presidential election scheduled for June 22.
The election features two candidates: former FIGC president Gianluca Abete and former Italian National Olympic Committee president Giovanni Malagò. The incoming president will have the authority to appoint the next national team head coach, with Conte positioned as the primary contender to lead the squad through its current transitional phase.
