Antonio Conte to Lead Napoli Rebuild After Disappointing Serie A Title Defense

Former Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur, and Inter Milan boss Antonio Conte have returned to management, signing a three-year contract with Serie A giants Napoli.

The Premier League and Champions League-winning head coach had been out of work since leaving Tottenham in March 2023 under tumultuous circumstances. Following a 3-3 draw with Southampton, where Spurs squandered a 3-1 lead, Conte delivered an explosive press conference criticizing his players as “selfish” and highlighting the club’s trophyless streak. His position quickly became untenable, leading to a mutual departure and his subsequent return to Italy to spend time with his family.

Conte’s New Challenge at Napoli

Conte initially rejected the opportunity to manage Napoli last October, after the sacking of Luciano Spalletti’s successor Rudi Garcia. Napoli eventually finished the season under Walter Mazzarri and Francesco Calzona, ending with the worst Serie A title defense in the three-points-per-win era, placing 10th and 41 points behind champions Inter Milan.

Despite the previous rejection, Conte has now accepted the role, signing a contract that extends to the end of the 2026-27 campaign.

“Napoli is a place of global importance. I am happy and excited at the idea of sitting on the blue bench. I can certainly promise one thing: I will do my utmost for the growth of the team and the club. My commitment, together with that of my staff, will be total,” Conte said on the official Partenopei website.

A New Chapter for Napoli

Napoli president Aurelio de Laurentiis expressed his pride in Conte’s appointment, describing it as an “important chapter” in the club’s history. “Antonio is a top coach, a leader, with whom I am sure that the necessary rebuilding can begin after the conclusion of the cycle that led us to win the Scudetto last year after many seasons at the top of Italian football. Today, an important new chapter in the history of Napoli opens,” de Laurentiis stated.

Conte’s arrival marks his 10th top managerial position, having previously led Chelsea, Tottenham, Inter Milan, Italy, Juventus, Atalanta BC, Bari, AC Siena, and Arezzo. A four-time Serie A winner, most recently with Inter in the 2020-21 season, Conte is tasked with overseeing Napoli’s rebuild for the 2024-25 season following their disappointing title defense.

Conte’s experience and leadership will be crucial as Napoli aims to return to the top of Italian football and restore their competitive edge.