Conte confirms departure from Napoli, cites 'poison' around team

Football
25 May 2026 • 7:19 AM MYT
DPA International
DPA International

DPA, founded in 1949, one of the world’s leading independent news agencies

Antonio Conte on Sunday confirmed that he is stepping down as Napoli coach, as the Partenopei finished their Serie A campaign in second behind Inter Milan.

Conte has been in charge at Napoli since 2024 and won the Serie A title last season. The lone trophy this season was the Italian Super Cup.

Following Napoli's 1-0 win over Udinese in the last game of the Serie A campaign, Conte told reporters that he had informed club president Aurelio De Laurentiis that he would step down a month ago, adding "the decision was mine."

"I've never been one for mediocre seasons, and I never will be," Conte said.

The 56-year-old cited "a lot of poison" around Napoli.

"At Napoli," Conte explained, "I failed in one thing: I was not able to bring you together and without togetherness within you can't fight against your adversaries. I have seen a lot of poison around, and those who spread poison are losers."

Conte, who last month said he sees himself as contender for a possible return as Italy national team coach after Gennaro Gattuso's exit, also clarified he didn't "know anything about my future. I may even take a break and rest."