Premier League and Serie A-winning head coach Antonio Conte has supposedly agreed a return to management by signing a three-year contract with an Italian giant.
The former Chelsea and Inter Milan head coach has been out of the game since his acrimonious exit from Tottenham Hotspur in March 2023, having exploded in a press conference after a 3-3 draw with Southampton.
After witnessing his side blow a 3-1 lead to draw 3-3 with the Championship-bound Saints, Conte lambasted his "selfish" players and also appeared to take aim at Daniel Levy when referencing Spurs' lengthy trophy drought.
The 54-year-old's position was untenable in the wake of his outburst, and he parted ways with Tottenham during the international break, since when he has been patiently waiting for the right opportunity to come along while enjoying time with his family in Italy.
Following news of Thomas Tuchel's departure from Bayern Munich at the end of the season, Conte was linked with the Bavarian giants, but Ralf Rangnick is now considered the favourite for the role.
Instead, Italian outlet RAI - via Calcio Napoli 24 - claims that Conte has instead chosen to return to the dugout with Napoli, whom he has shaken hands on a three-year agreement with.
© Reuters
Conte to return to management with Napoli?
The ex-Spurs boss was apparently on the Partenopei's radar to take the reins after Rudi Garcia, who lost his job in the autumn after an ill-fated spell as the successor to Scudetto winner Luciano Spalletti.
Instead, erstwhile boss Walter Mazzarri returned to Naples for another stint in charge, but he only lasted three months in the role before being replaced by Francesco Calzona, sharing his duties as Slovakia boss with the Partenopei job.
Calzona is not expected to still be in charge of Napoli come the end of the campaign, though, and the report adds that Conte and the 2022-23 Serie A champions have now achieved a breakthrough in talks.
The 54-year-old can supposedly expect to earn €6.5m (£5.5m) per season with the Partenopei, and the club will also do their utmost to sign players whom Conte has personally targeted.
In addition, club president Aurelio de Laurentiis - regarded as a cut-throat chief - will supposedly not intervene in football-related matters, which will be left to Conte and his sporting team.
A disappointing title defence sees Napoli lie eighth in the Serie A table, 13 points adrift of the top four, and Calzona's side next host Roma on Sunday afternoon.
Ben Knapton
