Napoli Appoints Antonio Conte as New Head Coach

Napoli has appointed former Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur manager Antonio Conte as their new head coach on a three-year contract. The 54-year-old has not managed since mutually departing from Spurs in March 2023 after a 16-month tenure. Despite facing challenges in North London, Conte boasts a successful coaching career. He won the Premier League in his first season with Chelsea (2016-17) and the FA Cup in his second before Chelsea dismissed him in 2018.

“Napoli holds global significance. I am thrilled and excited about taking the helm,” said Conte, who led Inter Milan to their first Serie A title in 11 years in 2021. “I can promise one thing: I will give my all for the team’s and the club’s growth. My commitment, along with my staff’s, will be total.”

Conte also guided Juventus to three consecutive Serie A titles from 2011 to 2014. Napoli won Serie A last year for the first time in 33 years but struggled to replicate that success, finishing tenth this season. Their poor form prompted the club to appoint Slovakia coach Francesco Calzona on a short-term basis in February after sacking Walter Mazzarri following just three months in charge.

In other Serie A news, Bologna has appointed former Fiorentina boss Vincenzo Italiano as their manager following their qualification for the Champions League. Thiago Motta, who led Bologna to a fifth-place finish in the 2023-24 season, left the club at the end of the campaign and expects to become the new Juventus manager.