Napoli President Aurelio De Laurentiis has acknowledged that Antonio Conte is a potential candidate to succeed Gennaro Gattuso as the head coach of the Italian national team. However, De Laurentiis expressed confidence that the former Scudetto-winning manager will not depart Napoli unexpectedly, stating, “It’s his creation, so he will kill his baby.”
In a comprehensive interview with The Athletic, published recently, De Laurentiis shared his views on desired changes in football, current issues within Serie A and the national team, and the future of Napoli’s current manager, Conte.
Conte is considered a leading contender for the Italy coaching position, alongside Massimiliano Allegri. The decision regarding the next national team coach is not expected until after the conclusion of the 2025-26 season, as a new FIGC president will not be elected until June 22. Conte, who previously managed the national team from 2014 to 2016, has hinted at his interest in returning to the role.
De Laurentiis indicated that while he would prefer Conte to finalize his future plans sooner rather than later to allow for smoother succession planning, he doesn’t anticipate the coach abandoning the club at the eleventh hour.
“Firstly, we currently lack a head of the federation, so no one can officially approach him. The federation’s leadership issue must be resolved first,” De Laurentiis explained to The Athletic.
“Antonio Conte is a man of great integrity. He has a contract with me and will never leave me in the lurch at the last minute, as it would create significant problems for Napoli. If he were to depart after two years of building a very strong Napoli, it would be abandoning his own creation, like killing his own baby at the final moment.”
“Alternatively, if he decides to leave immediately and expresses his desire to do so, I will have ample time in April and May to find a replacement. Otherwise, I do not believe Mr. Conte will ever abandon Napoli.”
“He is a serious and professional individual. If I were a coach, I would think 100 times before accepting such a move.”
English Translation:
Napoli President Aurelio De Laurentiis is aware that Antonio Conte is a potential candidate to replace Gennaro Gattuso as head coach of the Italy national team, but insists that the team’s Scudetto winner from last season will not ‘abandon’ the club at the last minute: ‘It’s his creation, so he will kill his baby’.
De Laurentiis gave an in-depth interview to The Athletic, discussing the changes he would like to see brought into football, the current issues surrounding Serie A and the national team, and the future of Napoli head coach Conte.
Conte is one of the leading candidates, along with Massimiliano Allegri, to step in as the head coach of the Italy national team following the recent resignation of Gennaro Gattuso. Given that the FIGC president’s successor will not be elected until June 22, a decision on the next Italy CT will not arrive before the end of the 2025-26 season.
Conte has previously hinted that he might be keen to return to the role of Italy national team head coach, a position he already held between 2014 and 2016. De Laurentiis has confirmed that he will not stand in the coach’s way if he decides to leave.
In his interview with The Athletic, De Laurentiis explained that it would be easier for Napoli in terms of contingency if Conte makes a decision on his immediate future sooner rather than later, but says that he does not expect the coach to leave the club high and dry at the last minute.
“Number one, we don’t have, as of now, a head of the federation, so nobody can decide to ask him. So first, we must solve the problem of the federation,” De Laurentiis explained to The Athletic.
“Antonio Conte is a very serious man. He has a contract with me. He will never abandon me at the last minute. Because it will create for Napoli a big problem. If he sacrifices himself after two years of creating a very strong Napoli, it is also his creation. So he will kill his baby, abandoning him just at the last minute.”
“Or, he decides immediately and says ‘I would like to go’. Then I have the time during April and May to find somebody else to make the substitution. Otherwise, I don’t think Mr Conte will ever abandon Napoli.”
“He’s a serious, professional man. If I was a coach, before to accept, I will think 100 times.”
