While everyone expected Antonio Conte and Aurelio De Laurentiis to end in a punch-up at Napoli, quite the opposite has happened.
Conte will be leaving the 2024/25 Serie A champions after this weekend, and to say he’s surprised everyone is an understatement.
Not only is the six-time league winner going out on good terms with president De Laurentiis, but he’s also offered to leave for free.
Conte has one year left on his contract, but won’t demand any payment from the club after their mutual separation.
On top of that, Conte likely won’t go straight back into work as he has in the past after messy divorces.
Corriere dello Sport report that the 56-year-old is keen for a break, and is actually ‘tired’ after giving his all for Napoli.
That could lead Italy to turn to alternatives in their search for a new coach, with Roberto Mancini emerging as a front runner.
Max Allegri was also mooted, but could instead find himself replacing Conte at the Maradona.
As for Conte, he’s began saying his goodbyes in Naples with an air of calm and appreciation for the club that rescued him after traumatic stints at Tottenham and Inter.
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