Former Napoli striker Roberto 'El Pampa' Sosa has questioned the club's direction and the future of manager Antonio Conte following a disappointing season. Speaking in an interview, Sosa highlighted the need for clarity on Conte's position and the club's ambitions as they prepare for a return to the Champions League.
Sosa, who remains a keen observer of the club, suggested the cycle under Conte may have ended, pointing to performances against Parma and Lazio and a general lack of enjoyable football this term. While acknowledging Conte's track record as a guarantee of results, Sosa noted that the level of play had been convincing in only seven or eight games this season. The core of his analysis revolves around the uncertainty of Conte's commitment, given the coach has only one year left on his contract and the potential financial constraints at the club.
The former attacker described Napoli's campaign as "disgraziata," or ill-fated, citing a plague of injuries and unconvincing answers from the transfer market as major factors. He argued that the scale of the summer rebuild—whether it requires minor tweaks or a full revolution—depends entirely on who will be in the dugout and the tactical system they wish to implement. According to Sosa, the squad possesses a base of absolute consistency with players capable of competing in every area, but specific reinforcements are needed.
Sosa identified several positions requiring attention, beginning with the goalkeeper situation, where Alex Meret's limited involvement and the inconsistent form of Nikola Milinkovic-Savic have created doubt. He also questioned whether midfielder Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa can recapture his previous Premier League form. Furthermore, Sosa suggested the need for a new central defender, a defensive midfielder if Anguissa is sold, a deputy for striker Rasmus Hojlund, and an alternative to captain Giovanni Di Lorenzo.
The overarching theme from Sosa's comments is a call for a clear project. He emphasized that Napoli must decide if merely participating in the Champions League is sufficient or if the aim is to progress deep into the competition, drawing a parallel with South American clubs in the Copa Libertadores. This strategic clarity, he implies, must come from the top and be shared by any manager, be it Conte or a potential successor, to avoid repeating the cycles of frustration and reset that have characterized the recent post-Scudetto period.
Sosa's analysis, coming from a beloved former player with deep ties to the city, underscores the sense of introspection at Napoli following a turbulent season. With the transfer window approaching, the club's decisions regarding its managerial leadership and squad investment will be scrutinized as they attempt to rebuild from a third-place finish and mount a more coherent challenge both domestically and in Europe.
