Napoli Appoints Antonio Conte as New Manager

Former Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur manager Antonio Conte has been appointed the new boss of Napoli on a three-year deal.

Conte, 54, has been out of management since mutually parting ways with Spurs in March 2023 after a 16-month tenure.

Despite his challenging time in North London, Conte boasts an impressive coaching record, having won the Premier League in his debut season with Chelsea (2016-17) and the FA Cup in his second season before his dismissal in 2018.

“Napoli is a place of global importance. I am happy and excited at the idea of sitting on the blue bench,” Antonio Conte expressed. “I can certainly promise one thing: I will do my utmost for the growth of the team and the club. My commitment, along with that of my staff, will be total.”

All You Need to Know About Antonio Conte’s Career

His managerial career started in 2006, leading Bari to a Serie B title, and Siena to promotion from the same division two years later. 

Antonio Conte took over at Juventus in 2011 and won three consecutive Serie A titles before taking charge of the Italy national team in 2014 until UEFA Euro 2016 where he led them to the quarter-finals. 

He then became Chelsea manager and led them to the Premier League title in his first season in charge, then winning the FA Cup in his second season but being dismissed as they finished fifth in the league.

Antonio Conte joined Inter Milan a year later leading the team to the UEFA Europa League final in his first season, then winning the 2020–21 Serie A title in his second season before stepping down in mutual consent.

Controversy

He joined Tottenham Hotspur in November 2021, but left in March 2023, due to Conte branding the players “selfish” and suggested the owners are willing to accept mediocrity and hide their own shortcomings behind a succession of managers (seven permanent appointments since Juande Ramos won the League Cup in 2008.)

“I see selfish players, I see players that don’t want to help each other and don’t put their heart [in].” Tottenham chiefs were also in the firing line as Conte added:

“20 years there is the owner and they never won something but why? The fault is only for the club, or for every manager that stay here.”

He grew tired of not being listened to. Spurs had had enough of the broken record.

Conte is credited with the popularisation of the 3–5–2 formation after it had seen very limited use since its heyday at the 1990 World Cup.