Confirmed: Antonio Conte commits to Napoli with new deal

By SABC Sport
30th May 2025

Napoli have secured the future of their Scudetto-winning coach, Antonio Conte, after intense negotiations with club president Aurelio De Laurentiis.

The Italian tactician, who guided the team to their fourth Serie A title, has agreed to stay on, with his contract running until 2027.

De Laurentiis took to his official X account to share the exciting news, posting, "Full steam ahead. Stronger than before," alongside a vibrant photo from the title celebrations, capturing the bond between the president and Conte. Just 12 minutes later, Napoli echoed the sentiment, sharing a dynamic video with the caption, "Cont Te Ag4in!" to confirm the coach's continued leadership of Gli Azzurri.

The breakthrough came after a three-hour meeting in Rome, where both sides ironed out their differences.

This followed an earlier discussion on Tuesday, held after a meeting with Pope Leo XIV, with key figures from Napoli's sports management, including sporting director Giovanni Manna, vice president Edoardo De Laurentiis, and CEO Andrea Chiavelli, also present. These talks proved pivotal in aligning the club and coach for the road ahead.

Conte had hinted at doubts about his future in recent weeks, particularly during the final days of the Serie A season. He expressed frustration over issues like the winter transfer window, where Napoli failed to replace Georgian star Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, who departed for Paris Saint-Germain.

Speculation even linked Conte with a return to Juventus, where he enjoyed immense success as both player and manager.

De Laurentiis, however, took a different approach this time, avoiding public pressure on the coach, unlike past instances, such as when Luciano Spalletti, the mastermind behind Napoli's third Scudetto, left the club. The president's restraint paid off, and his promises of a strong transfer market and a competitive squad for the upcoming Champions League campaign helped sway Conte.

The likely arrival of Belgian maestro Kevin De Bruyne from Manchester City has added to the excitement, signaling Napoli's ambition to build a squad capable of challenging on all fronts. After a disappointing tenth-place finish last season, Conte's commitment offers hope that the Partenopei can sustain their elite status.

"We are ready to follow him like a great leader," De Laurentiis said during the title celebrations, as reported by DAZN. "Next year, I would be very pleased if he made his mark in the Champions League."

Napoli's official X account reinforced the optimism, posting, "Together, we aim higher! With Conte, we're building a stronger future for Gli Azzurri!" Conte himself shared his enthusiasm, stating on X, "Proud to continue this journey with Napoli. The passion of the fans and the club's ambition drive me forward. Let's do this!"

With a revitalized squad and a proven winner at the helm, Napoli are gearing up for a thrilling 2025-26 season, ready to defend their Serie A crown and make waves in Europe.