ROME (AP) — Antonio Conte appears ready to leave Napoli less than a year after guiding the southern club to its fourth Serie A title, and the fiery coach is openly campaigning for the vacant Italy job.
Conte eyes Italy national team role
After Napoli's 1-0 victory over AC Milan on Monday, Conte said: "If I were the federation president I would consider myself. I've already been with the national team and I know what it like."
The Azzurri failed to qualify for a third consecutive World Cup, leaving the Italy job vacant. Conte previously coached Italy at the European Championship a decade ago.
The Italian soccer federation has only a lame duck president after Gabriele Gravina announced his resignation, with new elections called for June 22.
Napoli's season outlook
Napoli trails league leader Inter Milan by seven points with seven rounds remaining. "It's not a question of believing or not; it's about being realistic," Conte said. "We would have to be perfect and Inter would to make several missteps."
Napoli currently sits in second place after leapfrogging Milan, with a visit to Parma coming up on Sunday.
Conte's history of quick exits
If Conte does leave Napoli, it would follow similar exits immediately after or soon after titles at Bari (2009 Serie B), Juventus (2014 Serie A), Chelsea (2018 FA Cup and 2019 Premier League) and Inter (2021 Serie A).
Around Serie A
Inter visits neighboring Como on Sunday for its shortest trip of the season. Inter's 5-2 thrashing of Roma last weekend marked its first victory since February.
Cesc Fabregas' Como is unbeaten for nearly two months and is looking to hold on to fourth place and the final Champions League berth.
Inter midfielder Hakan Calhanoglu produced a 30-meter blast in the win over Roma, his ninth Serie A goal of the season.
Juventus news
Juventus center forward Dusan Vlahovic will miss another three weeks with an injured calf muscle. Vlahovic's injury issues could affect his contract negotiations with Juventus, which is offering a brief extension at a reduced salary.
Juventus coach Luciano Spalletti suggested requiring every Serie A club to use at least one Italian under-19 player in its starting lineup as a solution to the national team's problems.