Italian side Napoli have confirmed the departure of head coach Antonio Conte ending his two-year stay at the club.
Conte joined the club in 2024 and signed a three-year agreement that would have kept him in the role until the end of the 2026-27 season.
However, the Italian has now agreed to a mutual departure from the role, with reports linking him with the vacant position in charge of the national team.
Conte enjoyed a successful stint in charge of the club and guided them to the Serie A title in the 2024-25 season – in his first year in charge.
Napoli also won the Italian Surpercup this season, but missed out on their league crown to Inter Milan and finished second, qualifying for the UEFA Champions League once again.
“Thanks for everything, coach”, Napoli announced on social media.
Club owner Aurelio De Laurentiis and Conte had been involved in an exchange of words during a press conference, where they both disagreed on Napoli’s failed title defence this season.
De Laurentiis had revealed the different injury struggles during the campaign to one of the reasons why they missed out on the title, but Conte was of a different opinion.
Napoli endured an injury-hit campaign, with several key players spending time on the sidelines for majority of the campaign.
“Without the injuries, we would have been the champions,” De Laurentiis said.
Meanwhile, Conte revealed that champions Inter Milan were miles above the rest of the league and were deserved winners.
“That probably would not have happened,” Conte said.
“Inter’s merits need to be recognised. I’m sorry, but I don’t like clinging to these things. We have to acknowledge others’ victories and show respect. If we want respect, we have to give it. Inter deserved to win the league, with injuries or not.”
Napoli have not made a decision over a replacement, although they have been linked with several names, including Andoni Iraola, who will be out of job as soon as he leaves his role at Bournemouth.
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