Napoli is reportedly eyeing Thiago Motta as a potential successor should current head coach Antonio Conte depart to manage the Italian national team. Conte is a leading contender for the Italy job following Gennaro Gattuso’s recent exit.
Conte, who previously coached the Azzurri from 2014 to 2016, is a prominent figure in discussions for the national team position. Other names floated as potential options have included Massimiliano Allegri, Roberto Mancini, and even Pep Guardiola by some outlets.
Conte himself acknowledged the appeal of the national team role, stating he would “take myself into consideration along with the others” if he were the FIGC President, citing his past experience with the Nazionale and the honor of representing the country.
Napoli President Aurelio De Laurentiis has indicated he would not obstruct Conte’s move to the national team after the 2025-26 season, reportedly confessing he’d likely agree if Conte requested to leave. Conte’s contract with Napoli will have one year remaining following the conclusion of the 2025-26 campaign.
Who could replace Conte at Napoli?
According to Italian reports, Thiago Motta stands as Napoli’s primary candidate to take over as head coach should Conte transition to the national team role at the end of the current season.
Motta, currently unattached after departing Juventus last season, was previously linked with the Italy CT job in 2023 when Luciano Spalletti left Napoli for the national team position. Other names reportedly on Napoli’s radar include Fabio Grosso from Sassuolo and Vincenzo Italiano of Bologna.