Antonio Conte has resigned as manager of Napoli despite the club securing second place in Serie A with a 1-0 victory over Udinese. The Italian manager announced his departure in a press conference following the match, citing a breakdown in the club’s environment as the primary reason for his decision, even though he had a year remaining on his contract.
Conte revealed he informed president Aurelio De Laurentiis of his intentions a month prior, stating he felt his time at the club was coming to an end. He delivered a scathing assessment of the atmosphere surrounding Napoli, accusing unnamed individuals of spreading negativity and hindering the team’s progress. He stated that despite his satisfaction with having managed the club, he was unable to foster unity within the environment.
Napoli’s season saw them eliminated from Champions League contention early, finishing 30th out of 36 teams in the group stage, despite significant investment of €240 million in the squad. Conte, who previously guided Napoli to a Serie A title after taking over from Luciano Spalletti, expressed frustration with the situation. De Laurentiis, present at the press conference, attributed some of the team’s struggles to an unusually high number of injuries throughout the season, claiming they could have challenged for the Scudetto had they remained healthier.
Conte dismissed the injury explanation, stating that Inter Milan dealt with similar issues and remained competitive. He claimed the Napoli squad was “traumatized” upon his arrival and that he faced challenges in rebuilding morale. He also acknowledged an offer from De Laurentiis to reconsider, stating the president had told him Napoli would always be “home” to him. The club has reported 47 injuries this season, with 36 being muscle-related, averaging almost one injury per game.
Looking ahead, De Laurentiis stated that the club will seek a manager capable of leading an already competitive squad. Conte himself speculated about a possible return to the Italy national team, but indicated any such move is contingent on the appointment of a new president for the Italian Football Federation. He questioned whether the federation is prepared to secure a top-level manager like Pep Guardiola.
