Antonio Conte is now the only viable candidate to replace Francesco Calzona at Napoli. Club president Aurelio De Laurentiis has identified the ex-Inter and Juventus boss as the perfect fit for the role, says Calciomercato.
Conte has been away from the game since parting ways with Tottenham in March 2023. Heavily linked with a return to Serie A, he hoped for a Juventus reunion before the Turin giants broke his heart by agreeing personal terms with Bologna coach Thiago Motta.
Milan had been another possibility for Conte, yet the Rossoneri are closing in on Lille tactician Paulo Fonseca. So the road is clear for Napoli, and they’re moving full steam ahead. De Laurentiis has accelerated talks to bring the 54-year-old to the Diego Maradona Stadium.
Following one of the worst title-defending campaigns in Serie A history, Napoli need a wartime manager to get them out of trouble. Conte, a charismatic figure, fits the narrative. He’s a perfect fit, not only because of his mentality and character but also his telling track record in Serie A.
With Juventus, he won the Scudetto three times before ending Inter’s decade-long title wait on his Serie A return in 2020/21. Conte is a serial winner, and that’s what Napoli need after slumping to a mid-table finish only 12 months after conquering the league like it’s nothing.
If there’s a downside, it’s Conte’s flamboyant nature. It will be exciting to see how the two strong personalities, such as his and De Laurentiis’ would co-exist in the hot city of Naples. But the Napoli fans can’t complain about the president’s choice.
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