Massimiliano Allegri has been appointed as the new manager of Napoli, signing a contract with the club that will run until 2029, Napoli announced on Tuesday. The move comes amidst a period of managerial changes in Serie A, following Maurizio Sarri’s appointment at Atalanta and Gennaro Gattuso’s move to Lazio.
Allegri, 58, joins Napoli after a spell with AC Milan that ended with a disappointing finish to the season. Milan lost three of their final four matches, ultimately missing out on Champions League qualification after a home defeat to Cagliari on the final day. He had previously enjoyed two successful periods with Milan and Juventus since 2010, establishing himself as a prominent figure in Italian football.
Interestingly, Allegri had a brief playing stint with Napoli during the 1997-1998 season, appearing in seven matches for the club as they finished bottom of Serie A and were relegated to Serie B. His return to the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona will be under significantly different circumstances, as he inherits a team that was crowned Serie A champions in the 2023-2024 season and finished as runners-up last season, guaranteeing their place in the Champions League.
Allegri’s predecessor, Antonio Conte, is widely expected to take charge of the Italian national team, with Gazzetta dello Sport reporting a potential four-year contract worth €16 million. This appointment would see Conte return to a role he previously held from 2014 to 2016. The managerial changes signal a new era for both Napoli and the Italian national team, with expectations high for both clubs in the coming seasons. Allegri’s experience and tactical acumen will be crucial as Napoli look to defend their Serie A title and compete in the Champions League.
