Conte Exits Napoli After Poisonous Atmosphere; No Italy Job Agreement Yet

Antonio Conte confirms departure from Napoli after the end of the 2024-25 Serie A season, stating that a hostile atmosphere around the club leaves no way forward. The coach leaves despite delivering a Scudetto in the first campaign and finishing second to Inter in the league in the second year.

Across two seasons, Conte guides Napoli to one Serie A title and the Supercoppa Italiana, yet the second year feels flat. Inter win the league, while Napoli close with 76 points and a final-day 1-0 victory over Udinese, secured by a decisive goal from Rasmus Hojlund.

Conte’s points return with Napoli stands out when set against an established career record. The 76-point total marks the first time a Conte team in Serie A fails to reach 80 points. In Europe’s top five leagues, only Chelsea in 2017-18 with 70 points and Tottenham in 2021-22 with 71 points deliver smaller totals.

Despite that drop, Conte’s win percentage with Napoli remains high. A 62% success rate in Serie A ranks third among Napoli coaches, behind Maurizio Sarri on 69% and Luciano Spalletti on 68%. These figures underline competitive results, even while pressure grows around the club during the second campaign.

The coach confirms the long-expected exit after the Udinese match, speaking at a press conference alongside club president Aurelio De Laurentiis. Conte explains that repeated negativity from outside the squad shapes the final decision. The coach says concerns about the broader environment, rather than on-pitch results alone, drive the choice to leave.

"In Naples I failed in one thingI was unable to unite you, Conte said. I have seen so much poison, so many weeds: those who spread poison are failures. Napoli do not need this, these people should move away from Naples, which needs serious people. I failed from this point of view, and I realised that I would never be able to control the environment. The moment you can't do that, which for me is a fundamental thing to fight against the superpowers like Milan or Inter, I realised that I couldn't change things, and I said that I was taking a step back. I thank De Laurentiis because he gave me this opportunity. The Neapolitan fans understood me, this is the most important thing."

Antonio Conte Napoli Serie A tenure and links to Italy job

Conte’s departure immediately renews discussion over a potential return to the Italy national team, following Italy’s failure to reach the World Cup. Reports in Italy suggest the FIGC may also study an approach for outgoing Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola, raising questions over the level of investment required for a high-profile appointment.

Asked directly about those rumours, Conte denies any current deal with the federation. "There's nothing between me and the Italian Federation to become Italy head coach. Zero so far. Let's see in the future. There's not even a new Federation president yet but let me say this, are Italy ready to appoint a top coach? I read about Pep Guardiola. If I was to suggest a name, I'd say Pep. But do they have the funds to make it happen? It's too early to say. I have zero agreements so far." For now, Conte’s future stays open while Napoli prepare for life after two intense seasons.