Vincenzo Italiano is reportedly a target for Napoli, according to comments made by journalist Fabio Bazzani on Radio Nettuno Bologna Uno. The Napoli president has reportedly met with Italiano to discuss the possibility of the Bologna manager taking over at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona.
Bazzani suggested that it is natural for a manager to be tempted by a club offering Champions League football and a title challenge, stating that Napoli can provide both. He noted that Italiano was already earning a substantial salary at Bologna, implying the move would not be primarily financially motivated. The journalist believes Bologna should have anticipated Napoli’s interest, and would be surprised if they hadn’t known about the meeting between Italiano and the club’s president.
Italiano arrived at Bologna in 2024, following in the footsteps of successful managers Sinisa Mihajlovic and Thiago Motta. Under his guidance, Bologna secured a Champions League spot for the 2024-2025 season, a significant achievement for the club. His tactical approach and ability to develop players have drawn praise throughout Serie A.
Bazzani acknowledged the potential disappointment of Bologna supporters but emphasized that forcing Italiano to remain at the club against his wishes would be detrimental to all parties. He highlighted the club’s strong track record in appointing managers, expressing confidence they would find a suitable replacement if Italiano departs. The appointment of Cesc Fabregas as a potential assistant manager was also briefly mentioned by Bazzani, though details remain scarce. Should Italiano move to Napoli, it would represent a step up for the manager and a potential loss of a key figure for Bologna as they look to build on their recent success.
