Antonio Conte must bring Napoli back to the top of Serie A. The 54-year-old coach has signed a three-year contract at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona, the club announced Wednesday through official channels.
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Napoli crowned themselves champions of Italy for the first time since 1990 in the 2022/23 season, but fell back significantly after the departure of successful coach Luciano Spalletti.
Rudi Garcia and Walter Mazzarri failed to get the defending champions back on track. The Neapolitans finished the season in a disappointing tenth place. Under Conte, the path to the top must be resumed.
The choice for Conte is noteworthy, as the Italian previously spent three years in charge of Juventus and two years at Internazionale. During his tenure at Juventus, Conte led the team to three consecutive Serie A titles, establishing himself as one of the top coaches in Italian football. At Inter, he continued his success by securing another Scudetto, ending Juventus's nine-year dominance in the league.
With Massimiliano Allegri's departure, there is also a vacancy at the Old Lady, but it will not be filled by Conte. Reportedly, Napoli had to go to great lengths for him: according to Italian media, he will be the highest-paid coach in Serie A. This significant investment underscores Napoli's determination to reclaim their position at the top of Italian football.
Conte knows what it takes to win the Scudetto. He managed to do so three times with Juventus and once with Inter. In between, Conte won the Premier League with Chelsea, showcasing his ability to succeed outside of Italy as well. The English competition was his last destination as a coach. Conte's adventure at Tottenham Hotspur ended in disappointment, as he struggled to replicate his previous successes. Spurs decided to part ways with the Italian in March last year, following a series of underwhelming performances.
Now, with a fresh challenge at Napoli, Conte is expected to bring his winning mentality and tactical expertise to the team. The club and its supporters will be hoping that he can restore Napoli to their former glory and ensure that their 2022/23 triumph is not just a one-off success but the beginning of a new era of sustained excellence.
