Conte guided Napoli to the title in his first season in charge but this term they finished as runners-up, 11 points behind Inter. NurPhotoMay 24, 2026 3:30 pm EDT Updated Antonio Conte has announced he is leaving Napoli following their final game of the Serie A season on Sunday.Speaking at a press conference alongside the club’s president Aurelio De Laurentiis, following Napoli’s final-day win over Udinese, the pair confirmed that the head coach would not continue in post next term.Having taken charge in summer 2024, Conte claimed a fifth Italian league title in his maiden season in charge, having previously won three with Juventus and one with Inter Milan.
They struggled to reach the same heights this season, however, ultimately finishing as runners-up, 11 points shy of Inter.Explaining his decision, Conte told the assembled media: “After Bologna, I sensed some situations I didn’t like, and even there, it takes guts to speak your mind. I’ve never been one for mediocre seasons, and I never will be. I was even prepared to step aside; certainly, some new signings didn’t gel with the existing squad, and some very difficult dynamics had developed that needed to be addressed.“I was lucky enough to have a group I could be straight with, we sorted things out, telling each other that we had to pull together, and we set off again. I rang the chairman a month ago; I didn’t want to hear anything else and told him, ‘Given the friendship we share, I feel that my time here is coming to an end.’ The decision was mine.”May 24, 2026Connections: Sports EditionSpot the pattern. Connect the termsFind the hidden link between sports terms
