Latest news with #AurelioDeLaurentiis
New York Times
3 days ago
- Business
- New York Times
Antonio Conte staying at Napoli after winning Serie A: ‘We're serious people, so we're moving forward'
Antonio Conte has moved to end speculation over his future by signalling his intention to stay at Napoli after winning the Serie A title. Napoli clinched their second league crown in three seasons after defeating Cagliari 2-0 last Friday, beating Inter by one point. There had been talk Conte could leave his position following the Scudetto win but he has now reiterated his commitment to the club. Advertisement 'Managers and owners meet at the end of every season to review the season, to see how it went and find out whether or not they have the same vision for the future, and the same determination to go after particular objectives,' he said, sat alongside owner Aurelio De Laurentiis on Friday. 'That all seems normal to me. It happens at every club.' The deal Conte signed last summer to succeed Francesco Calzona ties him to the club until 2027. 'There is a contract and seeing as we're aligned on the vision we have for the club, there's nothing else to say on the matter,' Conte added. 'We carry on. We're serious people, so we're moving forward.' Conte, 55, was tasked with overseeing an overhaul of the playing squad. Stars of the 2022-23 title campaign departed; striker Victor Osimhen joined Galatasaray on loan last summer, before winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia moved to Paris Saint-Germain on a permanent deal in January. Shortly after arriving at the club, Conte stated that 'a total rebuild is needed, from the foundations' at Napoli and that the club was far away from contending. He also criticised his players after a 3-0 Serie A defeat against Hellas Verona in August, saying that they 'melted like snow in the sunshine'. Romelu Lukaku — who previously played under Conte at Inter — joined from Chelsea alongside Manchester United's Scott McTominay and Torino's Italy international centre-back Alessandro Buongiorno. Conte's side conceded just 27 goals in 38 league games, the strongest defensive record in Serie A and 18 fewer than Inter. Napoli did not participate in European football this campaign, having finished in 10th place in 2023-24, and were eliminated from the Coppa Italia at the round-of-16 stage by Lazio. Conte is one of Europe's most successful managers, having won five top-flight titles and several cup competitions. The Italian began his coaching career in Serie B with Arezzo in 2006 and had spells with Bari, Atalanta and Siena before being hired by Juventus in 2011, where he won three straight Serie A titles before resigning in 2014. Advertisement Conte then had a two-year stint in charge of the Italian national team, reaching the quarter-finals of Euro 2016, before joining Chelsea. He won the Premier League in 2016-17 and the FA Cup the following season but departed after Chelsea finished fifth in the league. A two-season spell at Inter followed, narrowly missing out on the Serie A title in 2019-20 before winning it the following season, ending Juventus's streak of nine straight Scudetti. Conte returned to the Premier League with Tottenham Hotspur in November 2021 but left by mutual consent 16 months later.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Napoli director drops two-word update on De Bruyne transfer
Napoli director Giovanni Manna confirms the Partenopei are 'pretty close' to signing Kevin De Bruyne as a free agent. De Bruyne's contract expires at the end of the season, but Napoli have been in talks with his camp for several weeks. Advertisement Napoli President Aurelio De Laurentiis confirmed on Thursday evening that Antonio Conte would remain at the club beyond the summer, but reporters also requested updates on De Bruyne. Napoli director Giovanni Manna and coach Antonio Conte Therefore, ADL called Manna, saying: 'He is in continuous contact with De Bruyne and his lawyers.' At that point, Manna replied with just two words and a smile: 'Pretty close,' said the Napoli director via Sky Sport. De Bruyne is available on a free transfer as his contract with Manchester City expires at the end of the season. The Premier League giants decided against offering KDB a new deal, so the Partenopei made their move alongside Chicago Fire and Fenerbahce. Advertisement Transfer expert Sacha Tavolieri reported on Thursday that De Bruyne had rejected a €25m offer for two seasons from Fenerbahce to sign for Napoli. Why De Bruyne will leave Manchester City 'I have not had any offer the whole year, they [Man City] just took a decision,' De Bruyne said in April, via BBC. 'Obviously, I was a bit surprised but I just have to accept it. Honestly, I still think I can perform at this level like I'm showing, but I understand clubs have to make decisions. MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – MAY 20: Kevin De Bruyne of Manchester City looks on after the Premier League match between Manchester City FC and AFC Bournemouth at Etihad Stadium on May 20, 2025 in Manchester, England, This match is to be Kevin De Bruyne's last home match for Manchester City before he departs in the summer when his contract expires. De Bruyne, will receive a guard of honour from team-mates and staff after a successful 10-year career at the club seeing him win 6 leagues titles and the Champions League. (Photo by) 'I feel like I still have a lot to give. Obviously I know I'm not 25 any more but I still feel like I can do my job. 'I'm open for anything. I have to look at the whole picture. I'm looking at sporting, family, everything together, what makes the most sense for me and my family. 'I like to play football. I like to compete. That's what I feel, so I can't say that I want to quit because I still feel that whenever I'm in training I want to beat the guys.'
Daily Mail
3 days ago
- Business
- Daily Mail
Antonio Conte makes final decision over his future at Napoli - after reports claimed he would be sacked just days after winning Serie A title
Antonio Conte has will remain at Napoli despite reports claiming that he would be sacked just days after clinching the Serie A title. Conte, who only arrived at the club at the start of the 2024-25 campaign, helped deliver the league title success last week after a dramatic final day of the season. As the players and staff celebrated, however, rumours began circulating that suggested the former Tottenham and Chelsea boss would be relieved of his duties. As quoted by Football Italia, Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis said: 'I wish Conte continuing success in his professional life. Thank you, Antonio.' However, it appears that De Laurentiis and his chiefs have had a change of heart - with Conte now set to stay on as Napoli head coach. Taking to X on Thursday, De Laurentiis shared a picture of himself and Conte with the caption: 'FULL SPEED AHEAD. STRONGER THAN BEFORE!'. Meanwhile, Napoli's official account on the social media platform also provided a post which confirmed that Conte would be staying on for the next season. Conte had reportedly been concerned about the financial backing that could be provided in the transfer window but that fears seems to have been alleviated. The team enjoyed an open-top bus parade on Monday afternoon around the Bay of Naples to celebrate their second Scudetto in three seasons. Napoli were indebted to former Manchester United midfielder Scott McTominay as he scored an acrobatic effort to steer Conte's men to glory. A 2-0 victory over Cagliari saw them finish above closest challengers Inter Milan by just one point in what was a titanic title race. Meanwhile, reports recently claimed that Man United are talking to Napoli about a swap involving Victor Osimhen and Rasmus Hojlund - plus a substantial fee. Osimhen is one of Europe's most wanted men and United have flown out one of their transfer kingpins to try and steer Osimhen away from their rivals and Saudi Arabia. United have reportedly sent recruitment planner Matt Hargreaves to sweet talk Napoli president Aurelio Di Laurentiis and sporting director Giovanni Manna. Napoli are willing to let United have their prize if they are ready to hand over Hojlund and around £33.5million, according to local outlet Il Napolista. Osimhen is due to return to Naples in the coming days, having spent the year on loan at Galatasaray, where he has added 36 goals and a league title to his portfolio.
Forbes
4 days ago
- Business
- Forbes
Serie A Set For Change As Managerial Merry-Go-Round In Full Swing
NAPLES, ITALY - MAY 23: Antonio Conte, Head Coach of Napoli, kisses the Serie A TIM Scudetto title ... More trophy after his team's victory in the Serie A match between Napoli and Cagliari at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on May 23, 2025 in Naples, Italy. (Photo by) The managerial carousel in Serie A is already in full swing. This summer will prove to be one of major upheaval for many Italian clubs, with managers leaving and joining different sides. Most of the top eight could, in fact, have new coaches in the dugout come the start of the 2025-26 campaign. The main story revolves around Juventus' desire to bring Napoli boss Antonio Conte back to Turin. Conte left the club under a cloud in 2014 and has never returned. Now, on the back of winning yet another league title, this time with Napoli, the current management at the Bianconeri are attempting to bring him back. Napoli owner Aurelio De Laurentiis, meanwhile, is trying desperately to keep hold of him. Should Juve fail in their mission to bring Conte back, then they might have to stick with current boss Igor Tudor, who guided the club to fourth place this season. Napoli had earmarked former Juventus coach Max Allegri as a plan B should Conte leave. Yet it appears Allegri is on the verge of rejoining Milan. Allegri coached the Rossoneri from 2010 to 2014 and after a disastrous season in which they failed to qualify for Europe, the club need a safe pair of hands and found it in the serial winner. Roma, who cycled through three managers last season, waved goodbye to Claudio Ranieri and is believed to be closing in on Gian Piero Gasperini, who could be set to leave Atalanta after nine hugely successful years. Gasperini is thought to lack motivation in Bergamo after bringing home the club's first ever European trophy a year ago and needs a new challenge. Rumours state that Atalanta might turn to former Lazio and Juventus coach Maurizio Sarri, as well as former Milan coach Stefano Pioli, as a potential replacement for Gasperini. Inter, who will be in the Champions League final this weekend, could lose manager Simone Inzaghi to Saudi Arabia outfit Al-Hilal, with a mammoth contract supposedly offered to the Italian. Vincenzo Italiano, who was Milan's first choice, has decided to remain at Bologna, signing a new deal that will see him stay at the club until 2027. Italiano secured the Rossoblu's first trophy since 1974, and will be eager to build on the success of last season into the next. Fiorentina is another club in search of a new manager after Raffaele Palladino surprisingly resigned from his post just weeks after signing a new deal. It's unclear why the former Monza coach quit, but it now means La Viola are also looking for a new coach. Lazio, who failed to qualify for Europe on the final weekend of the Serie A season, might dispense with current boss Marco Baroni as a result. Baroni had started the season well with Lazio, but the Biancocelesti endured a nightmare end to the season, failing to win a single game at home and being eliminated from the Europa League by Norwegian outfit Bodo Glimt on penalties. The domino effect is well under way in Serie A, and the ripples will be felt for weeks and months to come.
The Independent
4 days ago
- Business
- The Independent
Kevin De Bruyne transfer saga takes fresh twist with multiple offers
Kevin De Bruyne is still deciding on his future, principally between Napoli and Chicago Fire, although has still not ruled out a move to another Premier League club. The 33-year-old had a 25-minute meeting with Napoli owner Aurelio De Laurentiis, but it is understood negotiations are not yet as advanced as have been made out in Italy, with De Laurentiis saying De Bruyne had already bought a villa in the country. While the new Italian champions have so far made the most attractive offer, De Bruyne is still weighing up a lot, and is also considering Napoli's manager situation. There is a feeling in Serie A that title-winning manager Antonio Conte may return to Juventus. Napoli have at least significantly changed the situation from even a month ago. Before their interest, De Bruyne was on the brink of agreeing a move to Chicago Fire in MLS. He was nevertheless already having second thoughts due to the feeling that, once he leaves the top level of European football, he won't be coming back. It is why he is currently unlikely to go to Saudi Arabia, despite long-standing interest, particularly from Al-Ittihad. While Napoli is seen as the likeliest destination from the serious offers so far, De Bruyne is prepared to discuss Belgian would not be against another Premier League or Serie A club. De Bruyne made his 421st and, in all likelihood, final appearance for City as a late substitute in their last Premier League game of the season at Fulham. He could still be eligible to represent City at this summer's Club World Cup but he is not expected to be involved in the tournament in the United States.
