Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis is evaluating potential replacements for manager Antonio Conte, despite the Italian tactician being under contract until 2027, according to reports in Italy. The club is planning for the upcoming season beyond Champions League qualification and De Laurentiis aims to resolve several key issues, starting with Conte’s future.
A decisive meeting between De Laurentiis and Conte is scheduled after Napoli mathematically secure their place in next season’s Champions League, but the president is proactively exploring alternatives, with Maurizio Sarri and Vincenzo Italiano among those being considered. This preemptive approach stems from De Laurentiis’s experience with Luciano Spalletti’s departure, which reportedly left him unprepared.
Conte is expected to request clarity regarding the club’s technical and financial plans for the next season. De Laurentiis intends to revert to a traditional club policy focused on developing young players, strictly controlling wages, and avoiding expensive transfers. This shift in strategy is a key driver behind the potential changes.
The future of Romelu Lukaku is also uncertain, with the club pursuing disciplinary proceedings regarding the Belgian striker’s conduct. Lukaku is currently training alone after completing rehabilitation in Antwerp, a decision that contrasts with the club’s instructions. While Lukaku hopes for a farewell appearance at the Maradona Stadium before the World Cup, his high salary of €7.6 million per year and contract expiring in 2027 are deemed incompatible with the club’s new financial direction.
Napoli are also considering allowing Juan Jesus and Spinazzola to depart on free transfers, and the futures of other players over 30 with contracts expiring in 2027 – including Kevin De Bruyne, Alex Meret, Giovanni Di Lorenzo, Frank Anguissa, and Stanislav Lobotka – are in doubt. Napoli aim to secure second place in Serie A and will see captain Di Lorenzo return to the starting lineup against Bologna after a 100-day absence due to injury. Defender Ciro Vergara may also be included in the squad.
