Despite an ongoing contract
Top coach leaves club – and becomes national coach?
May 24, 2026 – 10:50 p.mReading time: 1 min.
Antonio Conte is stepping down as SSC Napoli coach, although his contract runs until 2027. The Italian press is already hinting at where he is headed.
After two years as coach of SSC Napoli, Antonio Conte has announced his resignation – although his contract runs until 2027. The 56-year-old announced his farewell at the press conference after the last game of the season. According to the Italian press, he is considered the favorite for the vacant position of national coach.
Naples won 1-0 against Udinese Calcio on Sunday and secured second place in the table with 76 points. Rasmus Hojlund scored in the 24th minute. After the final whistle, Conte said goodbye to the stands of the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium.
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At the press conference, Conte said: “It was an honor to coach such a prestigious club like SSC Napoli.” And further: “I informed the president of my decision a few weeks ago. But he told me that Naples would remain my home if I changed my mind by the end of the season.”
Under his leadership, Naples won the fourth Italian championship title in the club’s history in 2025. The next stop could be the national team: The Squadra Azzurra failed to qualify for the World Cup for the third time in a row in March and then fired Gennaro Gattuso. Conte coached Italy from 2014 to 2016.
