Napoli manager Conte announces departure after securing second place

Antonio Conte confirmed his departure as Napoli head coach on Sunday, concluding his tenure with a 1-0 home win against Udinese in the final match of the Serie A season. The 56-year-old Italian manager announced his decision at a press conference alongside Napoli President Aurelio De Laurentiis, shortly after the game.

Conte, who joined Napoli in July 2024, led the team to the league title in his first campaign and also secured the Italian Super Cup this season. The final match was decided by a 23rd-minute goal from striker Rasmus Hojlund, which secured Napoli second place in the league standings behind champions Inter Milan.

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I rang the chairman a month ago... and told him, 'Given the friendship we share, I feel that my time here is coming to an end.' The decision was mine. I’ve never been one for mediocre seasons, and I never will be.

Explaining his decision, Conte revealed he had initiated exit talks with the club's owner about a month prior. "Given the friendship we share, I feel that my time here is coming to an end. The decision was mine," Conte told reporters. "I’ve never been one for mediocre seasons, and I never will be."

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I saw situations there that I did not like. Certainly some new signings arrived in January while the old group and I were in very difficult dynamics. There came a moment when it was right to speak out and take responsibility.

He pointed to a loss against Bologna earlier in the month as a turning point, citing disagreements over January transfer window signings and internal squad dynamics. "I saw situations there that I did not like," Conte stated. "Certainly some new signings arrived in January while the old group and I were in very difficult dynamics. There came a moment when it was right to speak out and take responsibility."

Conte reflected on his inability to foster unity within the club, stating, "I failed at one thing in Naples: I was unable to bring everyone together. I saw too much poison, too much malice. The moment you can no longer do things with ease is a step backwards for me." Local media reports suggest Conte is a frontrunner to become the next Italy manager. He concluded by expressing "satisfaction, honour and prestige" for his achievements at Napoli and thanked De Laurentiis for the opportunity.

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I failed at one thing in Naples: I was unable to bring everyone together. I saw too much poison, too much malice. The moment you can no longer do things with ease is a step backwards for me.