After Napoli clinched their fourth Scudetto—and the second in just three years—club president Aurelio De Laurentiis addressed the future of coach Antonio Conte with a mix of admiration and openness, leaving the door wide open for what comes next.
The Backstory: A Meeting in the Maldives
Reflecting on his relationship with Conte, De Laurentiis shared a revealing anecdote when speaking with RAI (as quoted by IlBianconero):
“When we met in the Maldives, while swimming together, I was struck by his mentality. Last November, I tried to bring him to Napoli immediately, but he replied, ‘We haven’t built the team together. Let me come in June and we’ll do something great.’”
De Laurentiis praised Conte for the impact he’s had in such a short time, saying, “He did it, chapeau.”
The Future: Respecting the Coach’s Will
When asked about Conte’s future, De Laurentiis was clear about his philosophy:
“Will he stay? Never say never. Coaches have their own personality that must be respected and you should never force them, even if there are iron-clad contracts. Napoli is Napoli and deserves respect. If someone wants to make themselves available, we are ready to follow him as a great leader. I would be very happy if he tested himself in the Champions League next year.”
He added, “If he wants to put himself at the disposal of the club, then he is welcome. I would be pleased if he could make his mark in the Champions League.”
A Club Reborn and a City That Inspires
De Laurentiis also took a moment to reflect on Napoli’s journey:
“We have collected Napoli in court, people often forget this. Naples is a city that always gives you the best in life, but you have to know how to seize it, otherwise you remain on the margins with a defeated mentality. Even when there is desperation, Neapolitans always come out winners.”
