Antonio Conte announced on Sunday that he will be departing from Napoli after two successful years at the helm, which culminated in leading the team back to the Serie A title.
The 56-year-old is considered a top contender to take charge of the Italian national team, potentially marking a return to the Azzurri after previously leading them from 2014 to 2016.
Conte shared the news during a press conference held with club president Aurelio De Laurentiis following Napoli’s final game of the season, where they secured a 1-0 victory against Udinese.
“About a month ago, I informed the president that I felt our project was reaching its conclusion,” Conte stated. “I made this decision because I struggled to foster unity within the team, making it difficult to compete effectively against others.”
“I acknowledge my shortcomings in uniting everyone, and I take full responsibility for that. I understand that some things cannot be altered.”
“It has been an honor. I extend my gratitude to the president and the fans who have supported me.”
Despite enduring a challenging season filled with injury setbacks, Napoli finished second in Serie A.
Conte had signed a three-year contract with Napoli when he took over in 2024, with the club coming off a disappointing season in which they ranked among the worst defending champions in league history, finishing in 10th place.
Under Conte’s management, Napoli went on to reclaim the Serie A title in his first year.
Previously, Conte led both Juventus and Inter Milan to Serie A championships, and he also had tenures at Chelsea and Tottenham in the Premier League.
He also guided an underdog Italy team to the quarterfinals of the 2016 European Championship, where they were eliminated by Germany in a penalty shootout.
The Italian national team is currently facing challenges after failing to qualify for the World Cup for a third consecutive time, leading to the resignations of FIGC president Gabriele Gravina and coach Gennaro Gattuso last month.
“It’s all just speculation,” Conte replied when asked about the possibility of taking on the Italy job. “In the past, I’ve mentioned that if I were the federation’s president, I would consider including myself among the candidates.”
“However, at this moment, I do not have any information regarding my future. I may decide to take some time off to rest.”
This announcement follows a dramatic final day in Serie A, where both AC Milan and Juventus missed out on Champions League qualification, while Como and Roma secured their spots in the top four.
This report includes information from The Associated Press.