NAPLES, Italy — Antonio Conte confirmed Sunday that he is leaving Napoli after two season s in charge, having restored the southern club to Serie A champions in his first year.
The 56-year-old manager held a press conference alongside club president Aurelio De Laurentiis following Napoli's final match of the season, a 1-0 win over Udinese.
End of the project
"A month ago I called the president," Conte said. "I told him that I sensed our project was coming to an end."
Conte cited his failure to unite the environment as his reason for stepping away. "I didn't bring unity to the environment and so it's difficult to compete with others," he said. "I put my hands up. I realize that things cannot be changed."
He thanked the president and the fans who supported him during his tenure.
What comes next
Napoli finished second in Serie A this season, dealing with injury problems throughout the campaign. When hired in 2024, Conte signed a three-year contract after Napoli had finished 10th the previous season — one of the worst defending championship campaigns in league history.
Conte previously won Serie A titles with Juventus and Inter Milan, and coached Chelsea and Tottenham in the Premier League. He also managed the Italian national team from 2014-2016.
With the national team in crisis after failing to qualify for a third consecutive World Cup, Conte is a leading candidate to return. But asked about the Italy job Sunday, he offered only: "It's all just talk. I don't know anything about my future. I might well take time out and rest."