A decisive meeting with Aurelio De Laurentiis will shape Napoli’s direction — but the club is already lining up contingency plans
The future of Napoli begins — and possibly ends — with Antonio Conte.
The Italian coach remains the club’s top priority, as president Aurelio De Laurentiis has made clear. Under contract until 2027, Conte has reiterated his willingness to honor the deal. But as always with him, one key factor will determine everything: alignment.
The निर्णing Meeting
At the end of the season, Conte and De Laurentiis will sit down to decide whether to continue together.
“I’m fully committed to my contract,” Conte recently said. “But we’ll meet to understand if the right conditions are still there. If the harmony is gone, I’ll leave with affection.”
That word — harmony — is central.
Napoli have rebuilt themselves into a winning force in recent years, collecting silverware and consistently competing at the top of Serie A. But expectations are rising again, and Conte wants guarantees about the club’s ambitions, especially in the transfer market.
If those expectations are met, continuity is the likely outcome. If not, a split — however amicable — becomes a real possibility.
Napoli Can’t Afford to Wait
Even if the separation remains only hypothetical, Napoli are moving carefully behind the scenes.
The club learned hard lessons after the 2023 Scudetto collapse that followed managerial instability. This time, De Laurentiis is determined not to be caught unprepared.
That means one thing: a Plan B is already taking shape.
The Shortlist: Familiar Names and Rising Profiles
If Conte were to leave, Napoli would likely target a coach capable of maintaining competitiveness while adapting to the club’s structure.
Here are the leading candidates:
- Gian Piero Gasperini
A long-time admirer of his work, De Laurentiis nearly appointed him in 2024. If his situation at Roma becomes unstable, he could re-emerge as the top option. - Vincenzo Italiano
Currently impressing at Bologna, Italiano represents a more modern, attacking approach — and a coach on the rise. - Fabio Grosso
Building credibility with Sassuolo, Grosso is seen as a developing profile with strong tactical ideas. - Maurizio Sarri
A familiar face in Naples. If his situation at Lazio changes, a return could become an intriguing — and emotional — possibility.
And then there’s the inevitable comparison with elite names like Massimiliano Allegri, who, alongside Conte, has defined Italian football over the past decade. While not a direct target, his name inevitably enters any high-level coaching discussion.
Between Ambition and Stability
Napoli’s situation reflects a delicate balance.
On one hand, there is a strong foundation — recent trophies, a competitive squad, and a coach who has restored intensity and identity. On the other, there are growing expectations and external temptations, including speculation about Conte’s potential future with the Italian national team.
For De Laurentiis, the priority is clear: protect the club’s trajectory, regardless of individual decisions.
Too Many “Ifs” — For Now
At this stage, everything depends on one meeting.
If Conte stays, Napoli will continue building around a proven winner.
If he leaves, the club will once again face a pivotal transition — but this time with a clearer plan.
For now, Napoli wait.
But they’re ready for anything.
