Antonio Conte's Strained Relationship With Napoli Owner Might Result In End Of Stint
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Antonio Conte has led Napoli to the Serie A title, but his future is uncertain because of tensions with owner Aurelio De Laurentiis.
Italy's Antonio Conte has pulled Napoli back from the brink and restored them to the top of the Serie A, but his future with the team remains uncertain despite a successful season. Napoli lifted the title for just the fourth time in their history, but all might not be well in the backroom.
Conte has gone past pre-season expectations and solidified his reputation as a consistent winner by leading Napoli to the title, their second in three seasons.
Unfortunately, Conte might leave this summer after only one season, as his strained relationship with the team owner Aurelio De Laurentiis has kept flaring up throughout the season.
Il PHILADELPHIA COACH OF THE SEASON È: ANTONIO CONTE! 👑 🏆 pic.twitter.com/3sqGc0xRiC — Lega Serie A (@SerieA) May 23, 2025
Conte has expressed his dissatisfaction with how De Laurentiis, known for his problematic relationships with the managers, runs Napoli during the important final weeks of the title race.
Conte has said that if the team doesn't meet his expectations in the summer, with the more challenging Champions League campaign ahead, he will consider leaving.
'You have to live in the present… the people want to win and are ambitious. I'm open to everything, but we need to see where we are," Conte had said in April.
The Italian coach took charge in 2024 with the team reeling from the worst Serie A title defence in history and the stars of that win, striker Victor Osimhen and winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, looking to leave.
'I'm happy in Naples, and I'm working for fans who give me something emotionally. That's very important. But you know that whoever hires me knows that I bring with me expectations," Conte had said.
'People hire me and think 'you have to finish first or second, even if you finished 10th the year before, and you have to fight for the title, qualifying for Europe isn't enough," Conte added.
First Published:
May 24, 2025, 09:04 IST
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