Departure after a title and a final win
Antonio Conte confirmed Sunday that he is leaving Napoli after two years in charge, stepping down after the club’s 1‑0 win over Udinese in the season‑ending match. 56‑year‑old Conte held a news conference alongside president Aurelio De Laurentiis, saying a month ago he told the owner he felt the project was done. “I sensed that our project was coming to an end,” he said.
“I made this decision because at Napoli I failed in one thing: I didn’t bring unity to the environment, and it became difficult to compete with the others.” He added that he realized things could not be changed and thanked the fans who stood by him.
The matchup already has enough history; the job is to keep the reading list shorter than the tension.
Napoli finished second in Serie A, a step back from the title they captured a season earlier.
From 10th to champion
When Conte signed a three‑year deal in 2024, Napoli were coming off a disastrous campaign, finishing 10th — one of the worst defenses of a reigning champion in Serie A history. He turned the club around immediately, guiding them to the Scudetto in his first season.
During his tenure he also won league titles with Juventus and Inter Milan, and he coached Chelsea and Tottenham in the Premier League.
Italy vacancy looms
The Italian national team, known as the Azzurri, has been in turmoil after failing to qualify for the past three World Cups. The resignations of federation president Gabriele Gravina and coach Gennaro Gattuso last month opened the post.
Conte, who managed Italy from 2014‑2016 and led the side to the quarterfinals of the 2016 European Championship before losing to Germany on penalties, acknowledged the speculation. “It’s all just talk,” he said when asked about the Italy job, adding that he might take time to rest.
Three straight World Cup misses have turned the role into a pressing call for experience.
Conte stopped short of confirming his next move, saying only that his future remains unclear and that he may take a break.