Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis has indicated the club is awaiting contractual resolution between Massimiliano Allegri and Juventus before announcing any potential appointment, according to reports emerging from Naples. De Laurentiis spoke to journalists while at the port, prior to boarding the yacht of US Ambassador Tilman J. Fertitta.
De Laurentiis used the opportunity to discuss the broader state of Italian football, following the appointment of Giovanni Malagò as the new president of the Italian Football Federation (FIGC). He stated a complete restructuring of the system is needed, advocating for a collaborative forum involving all stakeholders to address past failures. He contrasted the economic struggles of European football with the consistent success of sports in the United States, suggesting a need to adopt American approaches.
He criticized former FIGC president Giancarlo Abete’s views on football as solely a social phenomenon, emphasizing its industrial aspect. De Laurentiis expressed concern over Abete’s statements made in Los Angeles, believing Malagò’s leadership will require sacrifice and a fresh start for all of Italian football, not just Napoli. He believes a key difference between Italian and American sports is the former’s tendency to stagnate while the latter consistently progresses.
Regarding the pursuit of Allegri, De Laurentiis remained cautious, stating that discussion is premature until the former Juventus manager is officially secured and presented. He added that decisions will be made with an eye towards continuity, though he did not elaborate on what that meant in the context of a potential managerial change. Allegri managed Juventus from 2014 to 2019, winning five consecutive Serie A titles.
De Laurentiis also addressed the ongoing debate surrounding the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona, Napoli’s home stadium. He highlighted the significant investment in stadium infrastructure in the United States, contrasting it with plans to renovate the Maradona with a budget of 200 million euros, which he deemed insufficient. He questioned the feasibility of such a project, suggesting it represents a lack of ambition.
