Napoli announces coach Antonio Conte won’t return to training until November 17, amidst controversy and rumors surrounding the club.

Napoli has released a statement confirming that coach Antonio Conte will be absent from training until Monday, November 17. The club’s decision comes as many players are currently away on international duty, leaving a limited squad at Castel Volturno.

Conte’s absence has sparked controversy and rumors, prompting Napoli to address the situation with a formal statement. The team has resumed training, guided by assistant manager Cristian Stellini and the rest of the staff.

According to the statement, Conte’s return was “already planned and agreed for some time with the club”. The coach is expected to resume his duties on November 17, ahead of Napoli’s Serie A showdown against Atalanta on November 22.

Atalanta’s new coach, Raffaele Palladino, will make his debut in this upcoming match. Napoli has recently struggled, with back-to-back 0-0 draws against Como and Eintracht Frankfurt, followed by a 2-0 defeat at Bologna.

The loss to Bologna marks Napoli’s fifth competitive loss of the season, from a total of 15 games in Serie A and the Champions League. The team’s recent stutter has raised concerns, and Conte’s absence may add to the speculation surrounding the club’s performance.