Napoli appoint Massimo Allegri as Antonio Conte successor on long-term deal

The 58-year-old replaces Conte, who left the Partenopei in May after a successful two-year reign that delivered the 2024-25 Serie A title and a second-place finish last season. Napoli delayed the announcement until Allegri had resolved the termination of his contract with AC Milan.

Confirming the appointment, the club said in a statement: "Napoli would like to welcome Massimiliano Allegri as our new first-team head coach. Allegri has signed a contract with the club until 30 June 2029."

Napoli also reflected on the coach's journey through Italian football, highlighting his brief spell as a player with the club during the 1997-98 season and his rise from the lower leagues to becoming one of the country's most decorated managers.

Allegri first established himself among Italy's elite with Milan, guiding the Rossoneri to the Serie A title in 2011 and lifting the Italian Super Cup. He then enjoyed a hugely successful first spell with Juventus, winning five consecutive league titles between 2014 and 2019, four straight Coppa Italia trophies and two Italian Super Cups, while also reaching the UEFA Champions League final on two occasions.

After returning to Juventus in 2021, Allegri secured a fifth Coppa Italia triumph in 2024 before taking charge of Milan again for the 2025-26 campaign. However, his second spell at San Siro lasted just one season, with Milan dismissing him after finishing fifth and missing out on Champions League qualification following a run of only two wins in their final eight league matches.

His departure came amid sweeping changes at the club, with sporting director Igli Tare, technical director Geoffrey Moncada and chief executive Giorgio Furlani also leaving their positions.

Welcoming their new manager, Napoli added: "A big welcome to our new head coach Max Allegri!"

Allegri arrives in Naples with an impressive trophy haul that includes six Serie A titles, five Coppa Italia crowns and three Italian Super Cups, as well as two Serie A Coach of the Year awards.

His immediate challenge will be to build on the foundations laid by Conte and get the best out of a squad featuring players such as Scott McTominay and Kevin De Bruyne ahead of the new season.

Napoli open their 2026-27 Serie A campaign away to Genoa on the weekend of August 22, while Conte has emerged as the leading candidate to become Italy's next national team coach, having previously managed the Azzurri between 2014 and 2016.