Aurelio De Laurentiis unveiling new Napoli manager Antonio Conte
Luciano Spalletti openly admitted that his conflicting relationship with Napoli President Aurelio De Laurentiis led to his exit in 2023, so the Partenopei owner should be well aware of his former coach’s warning to avoid losing Antonio Conte as well, writes Lorenzo Bettoni.
Italy coach Spalletti opened up about his relationship with De Laurentiis in his biography, explaining the reasons for his exit after securing a legendary Serie A title with the Partenopei in 2023.
The Azzurri boss gave his view on many events behind the scenes at the Stadio Maradona, which contributed to ending his personal and professional relationship with ADL, with whom he hasn’t spoken since leaving the club nearly two years ago.
Spalletti’s words should come as a warning for the Partenopei owner, given that new Napoli boss Conte has already shown his frustration in recent weeks.
Conte argued in April that “many things can’t be done at Napoli”, prompting a quick reply from ADL while the team is once again fighting for the Serie A title.
The pair will sit down at the end of the season to discuss the future. Even if the two parties have decided to end the public dispute in recent weeks, it is expected that the issues flagged by Conte before a 1-0 win against Monza will surface again this month, whether Napoli win the title or not.
Conte has never publicly blamed De Laurentiis, but it’s evident that part of his discontent comes from the President’s management. Football Italia understands that Conte privately complained about the President’s attitude. Although it’s unclear whether he’s facing the same problems experienced by Spalletti, ADL should perhaps listen more to the experienced tactician’s requests and desires if he doesn’t want to start from scratch in 2025-26.
It is no secret that Conte still attracts interest from other Serie A clubs, especially Milan and Juventus, who will be looking for a fresh start after a disappointing campaign.
Conte is under contract with Napoli until 2027, but he’s no stranger to sudden decisions and even resignations when things don’t go his way.
The other side of the coin, however, suggests that Conte has little patience when it comes to following instructions from his clubs. The Italian tactician didn’t believe Juventus could further develop when he left the Bianconeri one day into the 20214-15 pre-season and after winning three consecutive titles in Turin. However, he saw the Bianconeri reach two Champions League Finals in the following three years and win six more consecutive Scudetti under Massimiliano Allegri and Maurizio Sarri.
Likewise, Conte left Inter in 2021 after winning the Serie A title, and even though the Nerazzurri experienced years of financial restrictions, they remained one of the most successful clubs in Italy under Simone Inzaghi’s guidance, reaching the Champions League Final in 2023 and the semis in the current campaign, not to mention last season’s Scudetto.
Conte and De Laurentiis will have to reach a compromise and understand each other’s needs if they are to continue the Napoli project together in 2025-26 when the Partenopei will return to the Champions League.
Spalletti was not the only Conte predecessor complaining about De Laurentiis, as Sarri and Rudi Garcia have previously been critical of the Italian entrepreneur who acquired Napoli in Serie C after bankruptcy and brought them to the summit of Italian football in 2023, when they also reached the Champions League quarter-finals for the first time in history.
