As expected, SSC Napoli must now look for a new coach. Just the evening after the final game of the season, the cat was officially let out of the bag: Antonio Conte is leaving the club.
Even though Antonio Conte’s tenure in Naples lasted only two years, it can be viewed as a successful stint overall—with the exception of the dismal performance in the 2025/26 Champions League (30th place).
The Lecce native, a native of southern Italy, had ultimately turned the 2023 champions around after the worst season by a reigning titleholder in Serie A history, leading them back to the top and to the Scudetto in his very first year—the fourth overall for the storied club.
“It was an honor”
After securing the runner-up spot and a ticket to the Champions League—a competition Conte himself has not always held in high regard—the 56-year-old is calling it quits. He had already done so at his previous clubs: Tottenham (2021–2023), Inter (2019–2021), Chelsea (2016–2018), the Italian national team (2014–2016), and Juventus (2011–2014), he was not known as a long-term fixture over an extended period.
“It was an honor for me to coach such a prestigious club as SSC Napoli,” said Conte after the final game of the season, a 1-0 victory over Udinese at home in the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona, having already thanked the fans extensively during his lap of honor.
In his remarks, Conte also shared some behind-the-scenes insights and revealed that he had already presented his decision to SSC owner Aurelio de Laurentiis some time ago: “I informed the president of my decision a few weeks ago. But he told me that Naples would remain my home if I were to change my mind by the end of the season.” But the coach didn’t do that.
Is Allegri coming?
What happens next? Since the Squadra Azzurra once again failed to qualify for the World Cup (losing 1-4 in a penalty shootout in the playoffs in Bosnia) and the subsequent parting of ways with Gennaro Gattuso, Conte has been linked to a second stint as national team coach. The coach himself had fueled this speculation a while back: “If I were the head of the federation, I would consider myself.”
Meanwhile, at Vesuvio, Massimiliano Allegri is widely regarded as the favorite of owner De Laurentiis, who recently refused to sell his club despite a two-billion-euro offer. The current Milan coach is facing criticism from the Rossoneri.
