Vincenzo Italiano, a potential candidate for the Napoli managerial role, has openly admitted the possibility of leaving Bologna. Meanwhile, reports from La Gazzetta dello Sport suggest that Napoli’s president, Aurelio De Laurentiis, is also showing interest in Bournemouth’s coach, Andoni Iraola.
Napoli is actively exploring their coaching options following the confirmation of Antonio Conte’s departure from the Stadio Maradona. Conte’s tenure saw Napoli clinch the Scudetto in the 2024-25 season and the Supercoppa Italiana in 2025-26.
Iraola Among Napoli’s Managerial Targets
According to Gazzetta, Massimiliano Allegri of Milan and Vincenzo Italiano of Bologna remain the primary contenders to succeed Conte. However, De Laurentiis is also reportedly keeping a close watch on Bournemouth’s Andoni Iraola.
The same report indicates that Maurizio Sarri was initially De Laurentiis’s preferred choice. Nevertheless, the Lazio coach is widely expected to opt for Atalanta, reuniting with former Partenopei director Cristiano Giuntoli in Bergamo.
In the meantime, Italiano has confirmed that he might depart from Bologna after the team failed to secure a European qualification spot this season. “There’s a chance that I won’t stay; I can’t deny that. As you know, I’ll meet with the club, and we’ll discuss,” Italiano told Repubblica.
“My desire is to return to European competition. I thrive on bringing excitement and joy to people, just like last season. Bologna possesses the right philosophy for strategic planning and optimization, and by avoiding some of our recent errors, they could build a team capable of returning to Europe without relying on miracles. Bologna has clear expectations, and transparency with the fans is crucial.”
When questioned about Napoli’s interest, Italiano responded, “I’m not sure. They are evaluating several coaches. They might respect the work done over the years, but I honestly don’t know what to say.”
Italiano’s contract with Bologna extends until 2027. Massimiliano Allegri of Milan is in a similar situation, with his future at San Siro uncertain after the team’s failure to qualify for the Champions League.
De Laurentiis briefly commented on the search for Conte’s successor during a press conference on Sunday: “We have a strong team, and many players are returning. Perhaps they didn’t perfectly fit Conte’s style of play, but they might integrate well with a new coach.”