ANTONIO CONTE is set to leave Napoli this summer despite guiding the club to the Serie A title this season, according to reports.
Conte, 55, masterminded Napoli’s fourth ever Scudetto as they pipped Inter Milan to the title by a point on the final day of the season.
The Italian tactician, who only joined the club last summer, is under contract with the Napoli until 2027.
But it now seems like he is going to part ways with the champions two years prematurely.
According to Gianluca Di Marzio, Conte is set for talks with the Napoli hierarchy but there is a feeling that the meeting will end in his departure.
Club president Aurelio De Laurentiis is thought to be keen on securing European success in the Champions League next season and Conte may not be the man to stick around and lead the club.
Instead, De Laurentiis has reportedly already lined up a preferred replacement for the former Chelsea and Tottenham boss.
It’s claimed that the Napoli chief would like to bring in Massimiliano Allegri to take over should Conte leave.
Reports have suggested that Conte and De Laurentiis have had a fractured relationship in recent months after disagreements over player recruitment plans and training facilities.
It was one of Conte’s summer signings that made the difference as Napoli won the title in dramatic fashion on Friday.
Scott McTominay, who arrived in a £25m deal from Man Utd in the summer, scored a breathtaking scissor kick to put Napoli a goal ahead against Cagliari.
While Romelu Lukaku bagged a second to put Napoli out of sight and finish off the 2-0 victory.
And midfielder McTominay has been named Serie A Player of the Year thanks to his mammoth contribution across the title-winning campaign.
He scored 12 goals and has been ever-present this year with 34 league appearances.
Despite reports of not seeing eye-to-eye and claims that Conte will be leaving, De Laurentiis left the door open for the the manager to stay put next term.
Asked by DAZN about Conte’s future after the title success, the 75-year-old said: “Never say never.
“Coaches have their own character that must be respected and in my view you should never oblige them under iron-clad contracts. Napoli is Napoli, it deserves respect.
“If he wants to put himself at the disposal of the club the way he has done this season, then we say welcome, we are ready to follow him like a great leader.
“Next year, I would be very pleased if he made his mark in the Champions League, which since they modified the format has become even more important.”
Read the full article here
