Full Breakdown
Antonio Conte Departs Napoli After Two Seasons
5/26/2026, 12:32:38 AM
Immediate Announcement and Decision
Antonio Conte confirmed on 24 May 2026 that he will leave Napoli after two years in charge. The announcement was made at a joint press conference with club president Aurelio De Laurentis following Napoli’s 1-0 home victory over Udinese, the final match of the Serie A season. Conte said he had informed the president a month earlier that he sensed “our project was coming to an end” and that the decision was his own.
Recent Season Overview
Conte took over in July 2024, guiding Napoli to their fourth Serie A title and the Italian Super Cup in his debut campaign. The 2025-26 season ended with Napoli in second place, 11 points behind champions Inter Milan, and a failure to reach the Champions League knockout stage. Injuries plagued key players—including Scott McTominay, Kevin De Bruyne, Romelu Lukaku and captain Giovanni Di Lorenzo—limiting squad consistency.
Key Figures and Their Roles
- Antonio Conte – Head coach, responsible for tactics, squad management, and public representation.
- Aurelio De Laurentis – Napoli president, overseeing club operations and media communications.
- Inter Milan – Serie A champions, whose title win was acknowledged by Conte.
- Italian Football Federation (FIGC) – Governing body currently without a president, amid a crisis after failing to qualify for the 2026 World Cup; Conte’s name appears among potential national-team candidates.
Statistical Summary
- Final league position: 2nd (11 points behind Inter).
- Champions League: eliminated in group stage, did not advance to knockouts.
- New signings: Kevin De Bruyne, Rasmus Højlund (scored the 23rd-minute winner against Udinese).
- Injured players with >10 weeks missed: McTominay, De Bruyne, Lukaku, Di Lorenzo.
Impact on Napoli and Italian Football
Conte’s departure creates a managerial vacancy for a club that recently reclaimed domestic glory. The decision also fuels speculation about the Italy national team’s next head coach, as the federation seeks stability after recent resignations of President Gabriele Gravina and coach Gennaro Gattuso. Napoli’s performance this season highlights the challenges of maintaining a title-winning squad amid injuries and internal cohesion issues.
Official Statements & Responses
Napoli’s official social-media post read “Thanks for everything, coach.” De Laurentis later stated that without the season-long injury list, Napoli “would have been the champions.” The club confirmed the departure with a brief four-word statement and indicated that the decision had been reached months earlier.
Conte’s Critique of Internal Dynamics
Conte emphasized a lack of unity as the primary reason for his exit, describing “too much poison” and “malice” within the squad. He acknowledged that the inability to bring everyone together made competition “difficult” and that he “failed at one thing in Naples: I was unable to bring everyone together.”
Conflicting Views on Causes of Underperformance
Conte attributes the season’s shortcomings to internal discord, while De Laurentis points to injuries as the decisive factor. Media reports also note friction over January signings and a deteriorating relationship with the squad, adding layers to the disagreement over why Napoli fell short of defending the title.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I failed at one thing in Naples: I was unable to bring everyone together," Conte added.” — Antonio Conte, Napoli head coach
- “Without the injuries, we would have been the champions,” — Aurelio De Laurentis, Napoli president
- “My advice would be to hire Pep Guardiola.” — Antonio Conte, on national-team speculation
- “Inter deserved to win the league, with injuries or not.” — Antonio Conte, after Inter’s title
- “I might well take time out and rest.” — Antonio Conte, regarding the Italy manager role
- “Thanks for everything, coach,” — Napoli official statement
Outlook: Italy Job Speculation and Napoli’s Next Steps
While Conte indicated he may “take time out and rest,” his name remains among frontrunners for the Italy head-coach vacancy. Napoli has announced a search for a new manager, with De Laurentis suggesting that the existing squad can remain competitive under fresh leadership. The club’s upcoming hiring decision will shape its strategy for the 2026-27 season and its pursuit of a league title.
